tense 1
— tensely , adv. — tenseness , n.
/tens/ , adj., tenser, tensest , v. , tensed, tensing .
adj.
1. stretched tight, as a cord, fiber, etc.; drawn taut; rigid.
2. in a state of mental or nervous strain; high-strung; taut: a tense person.
3. characterized by a strain upon the nerves or feelings: a tense moment.
4. Phonet. pronounced with relatively tense tongue muscles; narrow. Cf. lax (def. 7).
v.t. , v.i.
5. to make or become tense.
[ 1660-70; tensus ptp. of tendere to stretch; see TEND 1 ]
tense 2
— tenseless , adj. — tenselessly , adv. — tenselessness , n.
/tens/ , n.
1. a category of verbal inflection that serves chiefly to specify the time of the action or state expressed by the verb.
2. a set of such categories or constructions in a particular language.
3. the time, as past, present, or future, expressed by such a category.
4. such categories or constructions, or their meanings collectively.
[ 1275-1325; ME tens tempus time ]