tension English · revision 6419

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1533|origins=la tendo}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈtɛnʃn̩/ ''(UK)''; /ˈtɛnʃən/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|tension]] or directly [[bor|la|tēnsio|t=a stretching]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) a noun of state from [[m|la|tēnsus]], the past participle of [[m|la|tendo|alt=tendere|t=to stretch]] (see [[tend]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from PIE [[ine-pro|*ten-|t=to stretch]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A stretched condition, especially in the body: 1533, in Elyot's ''Castel of Helth''.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In mechanics and physics, the stress produced by stretching is from the 1680s.^(Etymonline) Electromotive force, as in ''high-tension wires'', is from 1785.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) Strain of the mental powers is from before 1763,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) and nervous or emotional strain from 1847.^(OED 1989) A strained relationship between people or nations follows.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023) In psychology, tension is a state of strain from anxiety or need (1884).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1533 – a stretched condition.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1680s – in mechanics.^(Etymonline)

+ * before 1763 – mental strain.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1785 – electrical tension.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1847 – emotional strain.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The state of being stretched tight.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Mental or emotional strain; [[stress]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A strained relationship between people or groups.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(physics)'' A pulling force; also [[voltage]], as in ''high tension''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To apply tension to.^(SOED 2002)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[tensional]]

+ * [[tensionless]]

+ * [[tensioner]]

+ * [[hypertension]]

+ * [[hypotension]]

+ * [[pretension]]

+ * [[overtension]]

+ * [[posttension]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[tensile]]

+ * [[tense]]

+ * [[tend]]

+ * [[extend]]

+ * [[intense]]

+ * [[tent]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}