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tensest

 - 3 dictionary results

tense

1  [tens] ,adjective, tens⋅er, tens⋅est, verb, tensed, tens⋅ing.
Use tensest in a Sentence
–adjective
1. stretched tight, as a cord, fiber, etc.; drawn taut; rigid.
2. in a state of mental or nervous strain; high-strung; taut: a tense person.
3. characterized by a strain upon the nerves or feelings: a tense moment.
4. Phonetics. pronounced with relatively tense tongue muscles; narrow. Compare lax (def. 7).
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
5. to make or become tense.
Origin:
1660–70; < L tēnsus ptp. of tendere to stretch; see tend 1

Related forms:
tensely, adverb
tenseness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To tensest
tense 1   (těns)   
adj.   tens·er, tens·est

  1. Tightly stretched; taut. See Synonyms at stiff, tight.

  2. In a state of mental or nervous tension.

  3. Characterized by nervous tension or suspense.

  4. Linguistics Enunciated with taut muscles, as the sound (ē) in keen.

tr. & intr.v.   tensed, tens·ing, tens·es
To make or become tense.

[Latin tēnsus, past participle of tendere, to stretch; see ten- in Indo-European roots.]
tense'ly adv., tense'ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 2tense
Function: verb
Inflected Forms: tensed; tens·ing
transitive senses
: to make tense <tense amuscle> tense intransitive senses
: to become tense
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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