Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Tension
1.
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 larynx2.
Fig.: Extreme strain of mind or excitement of feeling; intense effort.
3.
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.
Gwilt.
4.
(Mech.)
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 weight5.
A device for checking the delivery of the thread in a sewing machine, so as to give the stitch the required degree of tightness.
6.
(Physics)
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 air7.
(Elec.)
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.
Tension brace
, or
Tension member
(Engin.)
, a brace or member designed to resist tension, or subjected to tension, in a structure.
– Tension rod
(Engin.)
, an iron rod used as a tension member to strengthen timber or metal framework, roofs, or the like.
Webster 1828 Edition
Tension
TEN'SION
,Noun.
1.
The act of stretching or straining; as the tension of the muscles.2.
The state of being stretched or strained to stiffness; or the state of being bent or strained; as, different degrees of tension in chords give different sounds; the greater the tension, the more acute the sound.3.
Distension.