ten|sion

ten|sion
ten|sion «TEHN shuhn», noun, verb.
–n.
1. the act of stretching: »

His tension on the rope made it break.

2. a stretched condition: »

The tension of the bow gives its speed to the arrow.

3. Figurative. mental or nervous strain: »

A mother feels tension when her baby is sick.

SYNONYM(S): anxiety, uneasiness.
4. Figurative. a strained condition: »

political tension.

5. stress caused by the action of a pulling force: »

An elevator exerts tension on the cables supporting it.

6. a device to control the pull or strain on something: »

The tension in a sewing machine may be adjusted to hold the thread tight or loose.

7. the pressure of a gas.
8. electromotive force or voltage: »

high-tension wires.

–v.t.
to make tense; tighten; draw out: »

tensioned steel rods.

[< Latin tēnsiō, -ōnis < tendere to stretch]
ten´sion|less, adjective.

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • ten|sion|al — «TEHN shuh nuhl», adjective. of or having to do with tension …   Useful english dictionary

  • ten|sion|er — «TEHN shuh nuhr», noun. a device to control the pull or strain on something: »The overhead wire is strung with special tensioners to remain at a constant height above the track (Bruce H. Frisch) …   Useful english dictionary

  • ten´sion|less — ten|sion «TEHN shuhn», noun, verb. –n. 1. the act of stretching: »His tension on the rope made it break. 2. a stretched condition: »The tension of the bow gives its speed to the arrow. 3. Figurative. mental or nervous strain: »A mother feels… …   Useful english dictionary

  • ex|ten´sion|al|ly — ex|ten|sion|al «ehk STEHN shuh nuhl», adjective. 1. having to do with or having extension or extent. 2. existing in space. –ex|ten´sion|al|ly, adverb …   Useful english dictionary

  • ex|ten|sion|al — «ehk STEHN shuh nuhl», adjective. 1. having to do with or having extension or extent. 2. existing in space. –ex|ten´sion|al|ly, adverb …   Useful english dictionary

  • in|ten´sion|al|ly — in|ten|sion|al «ihn TEHN shuh nuhl», adjective. having to do with or characterized by intension. –in|ten´sion|al|ly, adverb …   Useful english dictionary

  • in|ten|sion|al — «ihn TEHN shuh nuhl», adjective. having to do with or characterized by intension. –in|ten´sion|al|ly, adverb …   Useful english dictionary

  • co|ex|ten|sion — «KOH ihk STEHN shuhn», noun. 1. extension over an equal amount of space. 2. extension over exactly the same time …   Useful english dictionary

  • dis|ten|sion — «dihs TEHN shuhn», noun. = distention. (Cf. ↑distention) …   Useful english dictionary

  • ex|ten|sion|al|i|ty — «ehk STEHN shuh NAL uh tee», noun. the quality or condition of being extensional …   Useful english dictionary

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