tenuious etymology

Etymology:

• Latin "tenuis," meaning "thin" or "slender"
• Ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root "*tenh-" ("to stretch")

Meaning and Origin:

The adjective "tenuous" originally referred to something that was physically thin or delicate. In the 17th century, it gained a figurative sense, meaning "weak" or "insubstantial." This figurative meaning is often used to describe:

• Evidence or arguments: Lacking strong support or lacking substance
• Connections or relationships: Weak, fragile, or easily broken
• Ideas or beliefs: Flimsy, unfounded, or lacking in credibility
• Situations or circumstances: Precarious, unstable, or vulnerable

Examples:

• "The witness's testimony was tenuous, as it was based on hearsay."
• "Our relationship has become tenuous since the argument."
• "Her belief in the afterlife is based on tenuous evidence."
• "The company's financial situation is tenuous due to falling sales."

Related Terms:

• Tenacity: The quality of being firmly held or persistent
• Tensile: Capable of being stretched or pulled
• Attenuate: To make something thinner or less concentrated

Usage:

"Tenuous" is commonly used in formal or academic writing, especially when discussing topics such as logic, science, or history. It can be used both positively and negatively, depending on the context.

tenuious relate terms

• tenuous

  Etymology The word tenuous comes from the Latin word tenuis meaning thin slender or

• tenuious

  Etymology Latin tenuis meaning thin or slender Ultimately from the Proto Indo Eu

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• harangue

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