tense

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

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Contents 1 English 1.1 Pronunciation 1.2 Etymology 1 1.2.1 Noun 1.2.1.1 Derived terms 1.2.1.2 Translations 1.3 Etymology 2 1.3.1 Adjective 1.3.1.1 Derived terms 1.3.1.2 Translations 1.3.2 Verb 1.3.2.1 Translations 1.4 Anagrams

[edit] English

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /tɛns/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Rhymes: -ɛns

[edit] Etymology 1

From Old French tens (modern French temps), from Latin tempus.

[edit] Noun

tense (plural tenses)

1. (grammar) Any of the forms of a verb which distinguish when an action or state of being occurs or exists. The basic tenses in English are present, past and future. English also has perfect tenses (present perfect, past perfect and future perfect) and progressive tenses.

[edit] Derived terms

• tensal

[edit] Translations

[edit] Etymology 2

From Latin tensus, past participle of tendere (“‘stretch’”).

[edit] Adjective

tense (comparative tenser, superlative tensest)

1. Showing signs of stress or strain; not relaxed.
2. Pulled taut, without any slack.

[edit] Derived terms

• hypertense

[edit] Translations

[edit] Verb

to tense (third-person singular simple present tenses, present participle tensing, simple past and past participle tensed)

1. To make or become tense.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Anagrams

• Alphagram: eenst
• Enets
• sente
• teens