tension Meaning, Definition & Usage
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noun (psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense
stress; tenseness.
- he suffered from fatigue and emotional tension
- stress is a vasoconstrictor
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noun the physical condition of being stretched or strained
tautness; tenseness; tensity.
- it places great tension on the leg muscles
- he could feel the tenseness of her body
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noun a balance between and interplay of opposing elements or tendencies (especially in art or literature)
- there is a tension created between narrative time and movie time
- there is a tension between these approaches to understanding history
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noun (physics) a stress that produces an elongation of an elastic physical body
- the direction of maximum tension moves asymptotically toward the direction of the shear
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noun feelings of hostility that are not manifest
latent hostility.
- he could sense her latent hostility to him
- the diplomats' first concern was to reduce international tensions
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noun the action of stretching something tight
- tension holds the belt in the pulleys
WordNet
Ten"sion noun
Etymology
L.Definitions
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The act of stretching or straining; the state of being stretched or strained to stiffness; the state of being bent strained; as, the .tension of the muscles,tension of the larynx -
Fig.: Extreme strain of mind or excitement of feeling; intense effort. -
The degree of stretching to which a wire, cord, piece of timber, or the like, is strained by drawing it in the direction of its length; strain. Gwilt. -
(Mech.) The force by which a part is pulled when forming part of any system in equilibrium or in motion; as, the .tension of a srting supporting a weight equals that weight -
A device for checking the delivery of the thread in a sewing machine, so as to give the stitch the required degree of tightness. -
(Physics) Expansive force; the force with which the particles of a body, as a gas, tend to recede from each other and occupy a larger space; elastic force; elasticity; as, the .tension of vapor; thetension of air -
(Elec.) The quality in consequence of which an electric charge tends to discharge itself, as into the air by a spark, or to pass from a body of greater to one of less electrical potential. It varies as the quantity of electricity upon a given area.