countertenor

countertenor Definition

counter·tenor (ko̵unt′ər ten′ər)

noun

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

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