tauten
UK: ˈtɔːtn | US: ˈtɔːtn
vt. to make or become taut; to tighten
vi. to become stretched or tense
The word "tauten" combines "taut," meaning tight or stretched (from Middle English tought, possibly of Scandinavian origin), with the verb-forming suffix "-en," which indicates causation (e.g., "strengthen," "lengthen"). The suffix "-en" derives from Old English -nian, used to form verbs from adjectives. Thus, "tauten" literally means "to cause to be taut," reflecting its modern usage in describing the act of tightening or stretching something.
The sailor tautened the ropes before the storm.
Her muscles tautened as she prepared to lift the heavy box.
The fabric tautened when exposed to heat.
He tautened the guitar strings to improve the sound.
The suspense tautened the atmosphere in the room.