tenure English · revision 14934

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1292|origins=la teneō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈten.jə/, US /ˈten.jɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|xno|tenure|t=a tenure, estate in land]] and [[frm|tenure]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from [[fro|tenir|t=to hold]] (see [[tenable]] and [[tenant]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998) from [[la|teneō|t=to hold]].^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)^(MWU 2024) Merriam-Webster gives the Old French form teneüre, from [[la-med|tenitūra]].^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The holding of a tenement, especially under English law: 1292 in the OED, 1414 in the Rolls of Parliament in Barnhart, the early 15th century in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The terms of service under which land is held are from 1436,^(OED 1989) and a holding itself from 1439.^(OED 1989) The general sense, the holding of a status or office, is first recorded in 1599, in Ben Jonson's Cynthia's Revels,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) which led to the sense of the period of holding.^(Etymonline) Guaranteed tenure of office, at first in American universities and schools, is from 1957,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) tenured from 1961 and tenurable from 1977.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1292 – the holding of a tenement.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1436 – terms of holding.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1599 – the holding of an office.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1957 – guaranteed tenure (US).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1961 – tenured.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The holding of an office or position.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The length of time an office or position is held; a [[term]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A permanent post, especially for teachers and lecturers, guaranteeing employment until retirement.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(property law)'' The holding of land or property, and the terms on which it is held.^(Collins 2023)^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[tenurial]]

+ * [[tenurially]]

+ * [[tenurable]]

+ * [[subtenure]]

+ * [[tenure-track]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[tenant]]

+ * [[tenable]]

+ * [[tenement]]

+ * [[tenet]]

+ * [[contain]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}