tenace

American  

[ten-eys] / ˈtɛnˌeɪs /

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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tenace British  

/ ˈtɛneɪs /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of tenace

1645–55; < Spanish tenazas tongs, tenace (in card games), derivative of tenaz ≪ Latin tenāx tenacious; compare Medieval Latin tenācēs forceps

Example Sentences

If East had won with her ace, she would have been endplayed, forced to lead a diamond into declarer’s tenace or to concede a ruff-and-sluff.

From New York Times • Jan. 4, 2015

East overruffed, but then had to lead a diamond away from his king into dummy’s ace-jack tenace.

From New York Times • Apr. 21, 2013

A trump coup occurs when declarer has a tenace in the trump suit over his right-hand opponent.

From New York Times • Jan. 13, 2010

If the dummy has a tenace over your cards or can take any card you hold, play low; let the dealer do the guessing.

From Bridge; its Principles and Rules of Play with Illustrative Hands and the Club Code of Bridge Laws by Elwell, J.B. (Joseph Bowne)

With this holding the King is manifestly most advantageous, as if the Declarer hold Ace, Knave, it will either force the Ace and hold the tenace over the Knave or win the trick.

From Auction of To-day by Work, Milton C.