- to become tense
- Pol. , Dipl. se tendre ou se crisper [relations internationales]
English-French dictionary of law, politics, economics & finance. Jean-Daniel Katz. 2010.
English-French dictionary of law, politics, economics & finance. Jean-Daniel Katz. 2010.
tense — Ⅰ. tense [1] ► ADJECTIVE 1) stretched tight or rigid. 2) feeling, causing, or showing anxiety and nervousness. ► VERB ▪ make or become tense. DERIVATIVES tensely adverb tenseness noun … English terms dictionary
tense — tense1 [tens] adj. tenser, tensest [L tensus, pp. of tendere, to stretch < IE * tend < base * ten , to stretch > THIN] 1. stretched tight; strained; taut 2. feeling, showing, or causing mental strain; anxious 3. Phonet. articulated with… … English World dictionary
tense — 1. adj. & v. adj. 1 stretched tight, strained (tense cord; tense muscle; tense nerves; tense emotion). 2 causing tenseness (a tense moment). 3 Phonet. pronounced with the vocal muscles tense. v.tr. & intr. make or become tense. Phrases and idioms … Useful english dictionary
tense — tense1 tensely, adv. tenseness, n. /tens/, adj., tenser, tensest, v., tensed, tensing. adj. 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 … Universalium
tense up — verb 1. become tense, nervous, or uneasy He tensed up when he saw his opponent enter the room • Syn: ↑tense • Ant: ↑relax (for: ↑tense) • Derivationally related forms: ↑ … Useful english dictionary
tense — {{11}}tense (adj.) stretched tight, 1660s, from L. tensus, pp. of tendere to stretch (see TENET (Cf. tenet)). Sense of in a state of nervous tension is first recorded 1821. {{12}}tense (n.) form of a verb showing time of an action or state, early … Etymology dictionary
tense — I. noun Etymology: Middle English tens time, tense, from Anglo French, from Latin tempus Date: 14th century 1. a distinction of form in a verb to express distinctions of time or duration of the action or state it denotes 2. a. a set of… … New Collegiate Dictionary
tense — Tight, rigid, or strained; characterized by anxiety and psychological strain. [L. tensus, pp. of tendo, to stretch] * * * tense ten(t)s adj, tens·er; tens·est 1) stretched tight: made taut or rigid <the skeletal musculature involuntarily… … Medical dictionary
tense — I [[t]tɛns[/t]] adj. tens•er, tens•est, 1) stretched tight, as a cord, fiber, etc.; drawn taut; rigid 2) in a state of mental or nervous strain; high strung: a tense person[/ex] 3) characterized by a strain upon the nerves or feelings: a tense… … From formal English to slang
tense — I. /tɛns / (say tens) adjective (tenser, tensest) 1. stretched tight, as a cord, fibre, etc.; drawn taut; rigid. 2. in a state of mental or nervous strain, as a person. 3. characterised by a strain upon the nerves or feelings: a tense moment. 4.… …
tense up — verb To become tense … Wiktionary