Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Tense

Tense

,
Noun.
[OF.
tens
, properly, time, F.
temps
time, tense. See
Temporal
of time, and cf.
Thing
.]
(Gram.)
One of the forms which a verb takes by inflection or by adding auxiliary words, so as to indicate the time of the action or event signified; the modification which verbs undergo for the indication of time.
☞ The primary simple tenses are three: those which express time past, present, and future; but these admit of modifications, which differ in different languages.

Tense

,
Adj.
[L.
tensus
, p. p. of
tendere
to stretch. See
Tend
to move, and cf.
Toise
.]
Stretched tightly; strained to stiffness; rigid; not lax;
as, a
tense
fiber
.
The temples were sunk, her forehead was
tense
, and a fatal paleness was upon her.
Goldsmith.
–
Tense′ly
,
adv.
–
Tense′ness
,
Noun.

Webster 1828 Edition

Tense

TENSE

,
Adj.
tens. [L. tensus, from tendo, to stretch.] Stretched; strained to stiffness; rigid; not lax; as a tense fiber.
For the free passage of the sound into the ear, it is requisite that the tympanum be tense.

TENSE

,
Noun.
tens. [L. tempus.] In grammar, time, or a particular form of a verb, or a combination of words, used to express the time of action, or of that which is affirmed; or tense is an inflection of verbs by which they are made to signify or distinguish the time of actions or events.
The primary simple tenses are three; those which express time past, present, and future; but these admit of modifications, which differ in different languages. The English language is rich in tenses, beyond any other language in Europe.

Definition 2024

tense

tense

See also: tensé

English

Noun

tense ‎(plural tenses)

  1. (grammar, countable) 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.
  2. (linguistics, grammar, countable) An inflected form of a verb that indicates tense.
    English only has a present tense and a past tense; it has no future tense.
  3. (linguistics, uncountable) The property of indicating the point in time at which an action or state of being occurs or exists.
    Dyirbal verbs are not inflected for tense.
Usage notes
  • Some English-language authorities only consider inflected forms of verbs (i.e. the present and past tenses) as tenses, and not periphrastic forms such as the simple future with will.
Related terms
  • See: Category:en:Tenses
Derived terms
Translations

Verb

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

  1. (grammar, transitive) To apply a tense to.
    tensing a verb

Etymology 2

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

Adjective

tense ‎(comparative tenser, superlative tensest)

  1. Showing signs of stress or strain; not relaxed.
    You need to relax, all this overtime and stress is making you tense.
  2. Pulled taut, without any slack.
Derived terms
Translations

Verb

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

  1. To make or become tense.
Translations

Anagrams

Latin

Participle

tense

  1. vocative masculine singular of tensus

Spanish

Verb

tense

  1. Formal second-person singular (usted) imperative form of tensar.
  2. First-person singular (yo) present subjunctive form of tensar.
  3. Formal second-person singular (usted) present subjunctive form of tensar.
  4. Third-person singular (él, ella, also used with usted?) present subjunctive form of tensar.

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

  • enPR: tĕns, IPA(key): /tɛns/
  • Rhymes: -ɛns

Similar Results