tense

(noun) a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time.

(verb) become stretched or tense or taut. Synonyms: strain. Example: "The bodybuilder's neck muscles tensed;" "the rope strained when the weight was attached."

(verb) increase the tension on. Examples: "Alternately relax and tense your calf muscle." "Tense the rope manually before tensing the spring."

(verb) become tense, nervous, or uneasy. Synonyms: tense up. Example: "He tensed up when he saw his opponent enter the room."

(verb) cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious. Synonyms: strain, tense up. Example: "He got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up."

(adj) in or of a state of physical or nervous tension. Synonyms: tense (vs. relaxed).

(adj) pronounced with relatively tense tongue muscles (e.g., the vowel sound in `beat'). Synonyms: tense (vs. lax).

(adj) taut or rigid; stretched tight. Synonyms: tense (vs. lax). Example: "Tense piano strings."