tenor
n. C / Un. the general mood, character, or meaning of something like a conversation or a piece of writing. It can also refer to a high male singing voice.
n. the general character, mood, or drift of a conversation, piece of writing, or situation. In musical contexts, refers to the highest natural adult male singing voice.
The tenor of the meeting was very positive.
The angry tenor of the debate suggested that no agreement would be reached that evening.
While the specific details of the policy were technical, the overall tenor of the speech was one of cautious optimism regarding the nation's economic recovery.
From Middle English tenour, from Anglo-Norman tenour, from Old French tenor (“substance, contents, meaning, sense; tenor part in music”), from Latin tenor (“course, continuance; holder”), from teneō (“I hold”). In music, from the notion of the one who holds the melody, as opposed to the countertenor.
Often used with 'of' to describe the quality of an abstract concept like a 'conversation' or 'debate'.