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tenace

noun
ten·​ace | \ ˈte-ˌnās How to pronounce tenace (audio) , te-ˈnās, ˈte-nəs How to pronounce tenace (audio) \

Definition of tenace

: a combination of two high or relatively high cards (such as ace and queen) of the same suit in one hand with one ranking two degrees below the other

First Known Use of tenace

1655, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for tenace

borrowed from Spanish tenaza "pincers, forceps, tenace in cards," in plural (with singular reference) tenazas, alteration of earlier tenaces, going back to Iberian Latin tenācēs, from nominalized plural of Latin tenāc-, tenāx "holding fast, clinging, persistent" (probably as ellipsis of forcipēs tenācēs "tight-holding pincers") — more at tenacious

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