minor tenace: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Specialized
Quick answer
What does “minor tenace” mean?
A defensive holding in bridge or whist consisting of the ace and queen, or the king and jack, of a suit, specifically a minor suit (diamonds or clubs).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A defensive holding in bridge or whist consisting of the ace and queen, or the king and jack, of a suit, specifically a minor suit (diamonds or clubs).
In broader strategic contexts, any defensive position of weakness where two non-consecutive high cards are held, making it difficult for the opponent to run the suit without loss.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is standardized in international bridge literature.
Connotations
Purely technical, with connotations of skilled defensive strategy.
Frequency
Exclusively used within the card-playing community in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “minor tenace” in a Sentence
[Player] held a minor tenace in [suit].The defensive success relied on the minor tenace.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Technical
Used to analyze and describe defensive card combinations and strategy in bridge.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “minor tenace”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “minor tenace”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “minor tenace”
- Pronouncing 'tenace' to rhyme with 'menace' (it is /ˈtɛnɪs/ or /ˈtɛneɪs/).
- Using it to describe any two high cards, rather than specifically the ace-queen or king-jack combination.
- Confusing 'minor tenace' (diamonds/clubs) with 'major tenace' (hearts/spades).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes. It is a defensive card combination designed to win tricks from a position of weakness. However, declarer might also hold a tenace and use it strategically.
The distinction is only in the suit: a major tenace is in hearts or spades, while a minor tenace is in diamonds or clubs. The strategic principle is identical.
Strictly, a tenace refers to the specific two-card combination (ace-queen or king-jack). However, players may talk of a 'tenace position' with additional low cards guarding the honors.
The term originates from the French word 'tenace', meaning 'tenacious', reflecting the holding's ability to stubbornly win a trick if the opponent leads the suit correctly.
A defensive holding in bridge or whist consisting of the ace and queen, or the king and jack, of a suit, specifically a minor suit (diamonds or clubs).
Minor tenace is usually technical/specialized in register.
Minor tenace: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmaɪnə ˈtɛnɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmaɪnər ˈtɛneɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MINOR king (or ace) feeling TENSE because his supporting guard (the other honor) is one step away, making their position vulnerable yet powerful if played correctly.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FORTRESS WITH A GAP: A defensive position that is strong but has a specific weakness that must be concealed or protected.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'minor tenace' in bridge?