/ ˈtensaɪl; NAmE ˈtensl/ adjective ( technical )
1.
[ only before noun ] used to describe the extent to which sth can stretch without breaking :
the tensile strength of rope
2.
that can be drawn out or stretched :
tensile cable
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WORD ORIGIN
early 17th cent. (in sense 2): from medieval Latin tensilis , from Latin tendere to stretch.