■ adjective
1》 fixed or fastened firmly; hard to move, undo, or open.
↘(of clothes) close-fitting, especially uncomfortably so.
↘(of a grip) very firm.
↘well sealed against something such as water or air.
2》 (of a rope, fabric, or surface) stretched so as to leave no slack.
↘tense: a ~ smile.
3》 (of a form of control) strictly imposed: security was ~ at the ceremony.
4》 (of a written work or form) concise.
5》 (of an organization or group) disciplined or well coordinated.
6》 (of an area or space) allowing little room for manoeuvre.
↘(of money or time) limited; restricted: a ~ deadline.
7》 secretive.
8》 Brit. informal not willing to spend or give much money; mean.
9》 informal drunk.
■ adverb very firmly, closely, or tensely.
Phrases
a ~ ship a strictly controlled and disciplined organization or operation.
a ~ corner (or spot or place ) a difficult situation.
Derivatives
~en verb
~ly adverb
~ness noun
Origin
ME (in the sense 'healthy, vigorous', later 'firm, solid'): prob. an alt. of thight 'firm, solid', later 'close-packed, dense', of Gmc origin.