tension
noun
- pulling force transmitted axially by means of a string, cable, chain, or similar 1D continuous object, or by each end of a rod, truss member, or 3D object; action-reaction pair of forces acting at each end of said elements; opposite of compression
- emotional effect in music
verb
- add force to the ends of a long structure in a way that would stretch it
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈtɛnʃən/ / /ˈtɛnʃn̩/
noun
Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ten- Proto-Indo-European *tend-der. Proto-Italic *tendō Latin tendō Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Indo-European *-Hō Proto-Indo-European *-tiHō Proto-Italic *-tiō Latin -tiō Latin tēnsiōder. Middle French tensionbor. English tension Borrowed from Middle French tension, from Latin tēnsiō.
- The condition of being held in a state between two or more forces, which are acting in opposition to each other.
“My tensions with Eric over his alleged past actions have been fully resolved.”
- A psychological state of being tense.
- A feeling of nervousness, excitement, or fear that is created in a movie, book, etc.; suspense.
“This popular characterization of the Devil incorporates the Trickster archetype. Both are smart, energetic, lying, quick to take advantage of an opportunity. Both have latent narrative appeal in their generation of tension and conflict, their unpredictability, their defiance of hierarchy and authority.”
- The state of an elastic object which is stretched in a way which increases its length.
- A force transmitted through a rope, string, cable, or similar object (used with prepositions on, in, or of, e.g., "The tension in the cable is 1000 N", to convey that the same magnitude of force applies to objects attached to both ends).
“Most of the overhead system is of the weight-tensioned type, constant tension being automatically applied by balance weights.”
- Voltage.
verb
Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ten- Proto-Indo-European *tend-der. Proto-Italic *tendō Latin tendō Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Indo-European *-Hō Proto-Indo-European *-tiHō Proto-Italic *-tiō Latin -tiō Latin tēnsiōder. Middle French tensionbor. English tension Borrowed from Middle French tension, from Latin tēnsiō.
- To place an object in tension, to pull or place strain on.
“We tensioned the cable until it snapped.”