n.
Function: adjective
Inflected Form: tens · er ; tens · est
Etymology: Latin tensus, from past participle of tendere to stretch ― more at THIN
Date: 1668
1 : stretched tight : made taut : RIGID < tense muscles>
2 a : feeling or showing nervous tension <a tense smile> b : marked by strain or suspense <a tense thriller>
3 : produced with the muscles involved in a relatively tense state <the vowels \ ē \ and \ ü \ in contrast with the vowels \ i \ and \ u ̇ \ are tense >
– tense · ly adverb
– tense · ness noun