tenace

[ ten-eys ]

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.

tenace

/ ˈtɛneɪs /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tenace¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tenace¹

C17: from French, from Spanish tenaza forceps, ultimately from Latin tenāx holding fast, from tenēre to hold

Example Sentences

Series MVP Gene Tenace, Vida Blue and Campy Campaneris also are expected to attend the festivities.

From Seattle Times

Series MVP Gene Tenace, Vida Blue and Campy Campaneris also are expected to attend the festivities.

From Seattle Times

One of the speakers, theologian Michelina Tenace, told a Vatican press conference that the abuse scandals were evidence the whole process of discerning priestly vocations and training seminarians must be rethought.

From Washington Times

The three go-ahead hits in winner-take-all games are the tied for the most all-time with Manny Ramírez and Gene Tenace.

From Los Angeles Times

He produced runs at a rate that was 80 percent higher than the major league average over that span, nearly 30 percentage points better than Rod Carew and Gene Tenace, who were tied for second.

From Washington Post