countertenor Hear it!

countertenor Definition

counter·tenor (ko̵untər ten′ər)

noun

  1. an adult male voice, usually in falsetto, with a range similar to the contralto and sometimes reaching the soprano
  2. a singer with such a voice; a male alto
  3. a part for such a voice

Etymology: ME countretenour < OFr contreteneur: see counter- & tenor

adjective

of, for, or having the range of a countertenor
countertenor Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • sing: His tenor studies did not go all that well, and someone then suggested that he sing countertenor.