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. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The primary simple tenses are three: those which express time past, present, and future; but these admit of modifications, which differ in different languages. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The temples were sunk, her forehead was tense, and a fatal paleness was upon her. Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Tense"ly, adv. -- Tense"ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being tensible; tensility. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ See Tense, a. ] Capable of being extended or drawn out; ductile; tensible. [ 1913 Webster ]

Gold . . . is likewise the most flexible and tensible. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ See Tense, a. ] 1. Of or pertaining to extension; as, tensile strength. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Capable of extension; ductile; tensible. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Made tensile. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being tensile, or capable of extension; tensibility; as, the tensility of the muscles. Dr. H. Mere. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. tensio, from tendere, tensum, to stretch: cf. F. tension. See Tense, a. ] 1. The act of stretching or straining; the state of being stretched or strained to stiffness; the state of being bent strained; as, the tension of the muscles, tension of the larynx. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Fig.: Extreme strain of mind or excitement of feeling; intense effort. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The degree of stretching to which a wire, cord, piece of timber, or the like, is strained by drawing it in the direction of its length; strain. Gwilt. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Mech.) The force by which a part is pulled when forming part of any system in equilibrium or in motion; as, the tension of a srting supporting a weight equals that weight. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A device for checking the delivery of the thread in a sewing machine, so as to give the stitch the required degree of tightness. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Physics) Expansive force; the force with which the particles of a body, as a gas, tend to recede from each other and occupy a larger space; elastic force; elasticity; as, the tension of vapor; the tension of air. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Elec.) The quality in consequence of which an electric charge tends to discharge itself, as into the air by a spark, or to pass from a body of greater to one of less electrical potential. It varies as the quantity of electricity upon a given area. [ 1913 Webster ]

Tension brace, or
Tension member (Engin.), a brace or member designed to resist tension, or subjected to tension, in a structure. --
Tension rod (Engin.), an iron rod used as a tension member to strengthen timber or metal framework, roofs, or the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Extended or drawn out; subjected to tension. “A highly tensioned string.” Tyndall. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being tense, or strained to stiffness; tension; tenseness. [ 1913 Webster ]