Thesaurus: tension

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Definitions

1. a. 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 larynx.
2. a. Fig.: Extreme strain of mind or excitement of feeling; intense effort.
3. a. 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.
4. a. 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 weight.
5. a. 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. a. 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 air.
7. a. 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.
8. n. (psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense
9. n. the physical condition of being stretched or strained
10. n. a balance between and interplay of opposing elements or tendencies (especially in art or literature)
11. n. (physics) a stress that produces an elongation of an elastic physical body
12. n. feelings of hostility that are not manifest