tenor in rhetoric

In rhetoric, "tenor" refers to the subject or idea being discussed or represented in a metaphor. It is the underlying meaning that the metaphor seeks to convey. For example, in the metaphor "Time is a thief," the tenor is "time," while "thief" is the vehicle that helps illustrate the idea of time stealing moments from our lives. Understanding the tenor helps in grasping the deeper implications and connections being made in a discussion or piece of writing, enhancing our comprehension of the overall message.