tenue

noun

te·​nue
tənᵫ̅
plural tenues How to pronounce tenue (audio)
1
: bearing, carriage, deportment
the sacrifices made in the sacred name of tenue … the smiles amiably exchanged in public between mortal enemiesVictoria Sackville-West
2
: mode of dress
the long black coat with the lavender trousers and mauve vest that must have been his tenue when he married his first wifeYoung's Magazine

Word History

Etymology

French, from feminine of tenu, past participle of tenir to hold, from Old French

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Cite this Entry

“Tenue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenue. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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