tense
[tens]
a. ,

vt. (使), (使)

vi. (使), (使)

n. 态

[医]



tense
[ noun ]

1. a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time

<noun.communication>

[ verb ]

1. become stretched or tense or taut

<verb.contact> strain
the bodybuilder's neck muscles tensed;
the rope strained when the weight was attached

2. increase the tension on

<verb.change>
alternately relax and tense your calf muscle
tense the rope manually before tensing the spring

3. become tense, nervous, or uneasy

<verb.body> tense up
He tensed up when he saw his opponent enter the room

4. cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious

<verb.body> strain tense up
he got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up

[ adj ]

1. in or of a state of physical or nervous tension

<adj.all>

2. pronounced with relatively tense tongue muscles (e.g., the vowel sound in `beat')

<adj.all>

3. taut or rigid; stretched tight

<adj.all>
tense piano strings

Tense \Tense\, n. [OF. tens, properly, time, F. temps time,
tense. See {Temporal} of time, and cf. {Thing}.] (Gram.)
One of the forms which a verb takes by inflection or by
adding auxiliary words, so as to indicate the time of the
action or event signified; the modification which verbs
undergo for the indication of time.

Note: The primary simple tenses are three: those which
express time past, present, and future; but these admit
of modifications, which differ in different languages.


Tense \Tense\, a. [L. tensus, p. p. of tendere to stretch. See
{Tend} to move, and cf. {Toise}.]
Stretched tightly; strained to stiffness; rigid; not lax; as,
a tense fiber.

The temples were sunk, her forehead was tense, and a
fatal paleness was upon her. --Goldsmith.
※ -- {Tense"ly}, adv. -- {Tense"ness}, n.