tense

UK: tɛns | US: tɛns

Definition

  1. adj. 1. stretched tight; rigid

  2. adj. 2. (of a person) nervous or anxious

  3. n. 1. a grammatical category indicating time (past, present, future)

  4. v. 1. to become or make tight or rigid

Structure
tens <stretch>tens <stretch>
Etymology

The word "tense" traces back to Latin tensus, reflecting the physical act of stretching. Over time, it expanded metaphorically to describe mental strain (nervousness) and grammatical time (via the idea of "stretching" actions across time). The silent "e" preserves its Latin-derived spelling.

Examples

  1. The rope was too tense to bend.

  2. She felt tense before the interview.

  3. In English, the present tense describes current actions.

  4. He tensed his muscles to lift the weight.

  5. The atmosphere in the room grew tense.