The spelling of the word "tenuous" is not as straightforward as it may seem. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈtɛnjuəs/ which can help explain its spelling. The "t" at the beginning is pronounced as /t/, while the "ten" sounds like /tɛn/. The "u" is pronounced as /ju/ and the "ou" sound in the middle is pronounced as /u/. Finally, the "s" at the end is pronounced as /s/. Despite this complex spelling, "tenuous" is still a commonly used word meaning something that is weak or delicate.
Tenuous is an adjective that is used to describe something that is weak, insubstantial, or lacking in strength or substance. It implies a lack of solidity, stability, or credibility. This word is typically used to describe connections, explanations, arguments, or evidence that are weak or flimsy in nature.
When something is described as tenuous, it means that it is fragile, delicate, or easily broken. It suggests that the thing in question is barely held together or maintained, whether physically, emotionally, or intellectually.
In a broader context, tenuous can also refer to something that is precarious, uncertain, or unsubstantiated. It may indicate that there is little confidence or assurance associated with the subject matter, which could therefore be easily disputed or invalidated.
For example, in a political discourse, a tenuous claim would refer to an argument or statement that lacks substantial evidence or logical support. Similarly, a tenuous relationship might describe a connection between two people that is tenuous at best, meaning it is fragile and not likely to last.
Overall, the word tenuous communicates a sense of fragility, weakness, or instability, suggesting that the subject matter is lacking in substance, credibility, or strength.
Thin; slender; rare.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "tenuous" originated from the Latin word "tenuis" which means "thin" or "fine". It entered the English language in the early 17th century with the same meaning. The Latin term "tenuis" itself is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*ten-", which signifies "to stretch" or "to thin out". Through various linguistic shifts and transformations, "tenuous" evolved into its current form, suggesting something that is thin, delicate, frail, or insubstantial.