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tenace

[ten-eys]
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noun Whist, Bridge.
  1. a sequence of two high cards of the same suit that lack an intervening card to be in consecutive order, as the ace and queen.
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Compare major tenace, minor tenace.

Origin of tenace

1645–55; < Spanish tenazas tongs, tenace (in card games), derivative of tenaz ≪ Latin tenāx tenacious; compare Medieval Latin tenācēs forceps
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for tenace

Historical Examples

  • He should avoid opening a tenace suit, regardless of its length.

    Auction of To-day

    Milton C. Work

  • A lead from a tenace or a guarded king or queen is to be avoided.

  • Therefore, as a general proposition, unless the partner have declared, the tenace suit should be led.

    Auction of To-day

    Milton C. Work

  • This, while not nearly so desirable an opening as a singleton, is better than leading from a tenace.

    Auction of To-day

    Milton C. Work

British Dictionary definitions for tenace

tenace

noun
  1. bridge whist a holding of two nonconsecutive high cards of a suit, such as the ace and queen
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Word Origin

C17: from French, from Spanish tenaza forceps, ultimately from Latin tenāx holding fast, from tenēre to hold
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012