tense
Definitions
Nervous and unable to relax; (of a situation) full of strain
紧张的，不放松的；（局势）紧张的
Stretched tight; stiff
绷紧的，僵硬的
A grammatical form of a verb showing the time of an action
（语法）时态
To make or become tight or stiff
（使）绷紧，（使）紧张
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedtense is the tensum form of tend ("stretch") used directly. The core image is "stretched tight": tense muscles, a tense atmosphere, tensing for impact. The grammar sense (past tense, present tense) comes from the same Latin root via "time stretched out" across past, present, and future.
Root tend still carries 40 more wordsWhy It Means This
Tense looks like one word but spans three ideas, all from "stretched." The everyday adjective (tense muscles, a tense meeting) is the stretch felt as strain. The verb (tense up) is the act of stretching tight. And the grammar noun—past/present/future tense—comes from Latin tempus via the idea of time "stretched" along a line. Same taut-string image underneath.
Common Collocations
- 1.tense atmosphere紧张的气氛
- 2.feel tense感到紧张
- 3.tense muscles绷紧的肌肉
- 4.past tense过去时
Example Sentences
- 1.
Everyone felt tense as the deadline approached.
- 2.
Her shoulders were tense after a long day at the computer.
- 3.
English has more verb tenses than many languages.