tense
Cross references:
1. stiff 2. tight
1. tense \'ten(t)s\ n [ME tens time, tense, fr. MF, fr. L tempus - more at
TEMPORAL)M 1: a distinction of form in a verb to express distinctions of
time 2a: a set of inflectional forms of a verb that express distinctions
of time 2b: a particular inflectional form of a verb expressing a specific
time dis tinction
2. tense aj [L tensus, fr. pp. of tendere to stretch - more at THIN] 1:
stretched tight : made taut : RIGID 2a: feeling or showing nervous tension
: HIGH-STRUNG, JITTERYM 2b: marked by strain or suspense of a speech sound
3: produced with the muscles involved in a relatively tense state {the v
owels /e-/ and /u|:/ in contrast with the vowels /i/ and /u./ are ~} -
tense.ly av
3. tense vt : to make tense to become tense