Also 9 tenzon. [F. tenson = Pr. tenso, a poetical contest; in OF. contention, contest: see TENCION.] A contest in verse beween rival troubadours; a piece of verse or song composed for or sung in such a contest.
1834. S. L. Knapp, Tales Gard. Kosciuszko, 102. These discussions or games were called Tensons, and genius often corruscated form every part of the debating hall.
1840. Browning, Sordello, II. 696. While, out of dream, his day’s work went To tune a crazy tenzon or sirvent.
1883. A. H. Wodehouse, in Grove, Dict. Mus., III. 585/1. The tensons, or contentions, were metrical dialogues of lively repartee on some disputed point of gallantry.
1895. ‘H. Gaëlyn,’ To Elise, 7, in The Mummer, etc., 27.
| Would I could write for my Elise | |
| Trim triolets and tensons tender! |
