Core principles or beliefs that someone or a group firmly holds and follows.
From Latin 'tenere' meaning 'to hold.' The word 'tenet' literally means 'he/she holds,' referring to principles firmly held or maintained by a person or organization.
The root 'tenere' (to hold) shows up everywhere in English—'tenant' (one who holds land), 'tenacious' (holding on stubbornly), 'lieutenant' (holding a position)—so 'tenets' literally means 'things someone holds onto,' which perfectly captures what beliefs are.
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