en·ta·sis  (ěn'tə-sĭs)   (click for larger image in new window) n. pl. en·ta·ses (-sēz') A slight convexity or swelling, as in the shaft of a column, intended to compensate for the illusion of concavity resulting from straight sides. [Latin, from Greek, tension, from enteinein, to stretch tight : en-, intensive pref.; see en-2 + teinein, to stretch; see ten- in Indo-European roots.] |