Tension
['tenʃ(ə)n] or ['tɛnʃən]
Definition
(noun.) the action of stretching something tight; 'tension holds the belt in the pulleys'.
(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'.
(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'.
(noun.) (psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense; 'he suffered from fatigue and emotional tension'; 'stress is a vasoconstrictor'.
(noun.) the physical condition of being stretched or strained; 'it places great tension on the leg muscles'; 'he could feel the tenseness of her body'.
Editor: Maureen--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) 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.
(a.) Fig.: Extreme strain of mind or excitement of feeling; intense effort.
(a.) 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.
(a.) 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.) A device for checking the delivery of the thread in a sewing machine, so as to give the stitch the required degree of tightness.
(a.) 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; the tension of air.
(a.) 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.
Editor: Maynard
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Stretching, straining.[2]. Strain, rigor, severe effort.[3]. (Physics.) Expansive force, elastic force.
Editor: Peter
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Stretch, strain, intentness, tightness, stiffness, force, tone, effort
ANT:Looseness, relaxation, laxity, atony, slackness
Typist: Rebecca
Examples
- The tension of patriotic and republican France was now becoming intolerable. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- In times of excitement, when the muscles of the body in general are in a state of great tension, the pitch is likely to be uncommonly high. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- With the entrance of the two young men a sudden tension was felt. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- Her warm breath playing, flying rhythmically over his ear, seemed to relax the tension. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- And they were both seated in silence, in the terrible tension of the room. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- Low tension circuits, such as are used for incandescent lights, range from 100 to 240 volts and are harmless. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- Even admitting that the size and weight of his low-tension conductors necessitated putting them underground, this argues nothing against the propriety and sanity of his methods. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- It was peace at laSt. The old, detestable world of tension had passed away at last, his soul was strong and at ease. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- But of course the wooden seat is wrong--it destroys the perfect lightness and unity in tension the cane gave. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- The pitch of the sound depends upon the tension of the stretched membranes, and since this can be altered by muscular action, the voice can be modulated at will. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- The social tensions of the time mocked that comparison with Camillus. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
Checker: Tina