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countertenor
noun
coun·ter·ten·or
ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌte-nər
: a tenor with an unusually high range (such as an alto range)
Examples of countertenor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The first concert, June 28 at St. John’s United Methodist Church, will feature countertenor Jay Carter, one of Ray-Carter’s early fellow travelers.
—Patrick Neas, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2024
The work has a countertenor, who stands for the adult world, more or less, and a children’s chorus, which stands for idealism and righteousness.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 17 May 2024
Soloists include soprano Nola Richardson, countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, and tenor Thomas Cooley.
Details: 7 p.m. today; First Congregational Church, Berkeley; $35-$95; cityboxoffice.com.
—Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024
Our movie is about Klaus Nomi, the German countertenor that became a cult figure in 1980s New York and died, far too soon, as one of the first victims of AIDS.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024
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Word History
Etymology
Middle English countretenour part balancing the tenor, from Middle French contreteneur, from contre- + teneur tenor
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of countertenor was
in the 15th century
Articles Related to countertenor
Dictionary Entries Near countertenor
Cite this Entry
“Countertenor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/countertenor. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
countertenor
noun
coun·ter·ten·or
ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌten-ər
: a tenor with an unusually high range
More from Merriam-Webster on countertenor
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about countertenor
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