tenuity

noun

te·​nu·​i·​ty te-ˈnü-ə-tē How to pronounce tenuity (audio)
tə-, 
-ˈnyü-
1
: lack of substance or strength
2
: lack of thickness : slenderness, thinness
… the tenuity of poplars …—Edith Wharton
3
: lack of density : rarefied quality or state

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tenuite "thinness," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French tenuité, borrowed from Latin tenuitāt-, tenuitās, from tenuis "thin, narrow, slight" + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at thin entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tenuity was in the 15th century

Rhymes for tenuity

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Browse Nearby Words

tenuis
tenuity
tenulin
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Cite this Entry

“Tenuity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenuity. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Definition revised
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