Search Result for "tenseness": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (2)

1. the physical condition of being stretched or strained;
- Example: "it places great tension on the leg muscles"
- Example: "he could feel the tenseness of her body"
[syn: tension, tensity, tenseness, tautness]

2. (psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense;
- Example: "he suffered from fatigue and emotional tension"
- Example: "stress is a vasoconstrictor"
[syn: tension, tenseness, stress]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Tense \Tense\, a. [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. [1913 Webster] The temples were sunk, her forehead was tense, and a fatal paleness was upon her. --Goldsmith. [1913 Webster] -- Tense"ly, adv. -- Tense"ness, n. [1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

tenseness n 1: the physical condition of being stretched or strained; "it places great tension on the leg muscles"; "he could feel the tenseness of her body" [syn: tension, tensity, tenseness, tautness] 2: (psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense; "he suffered from fatigue and emotional tension"; "stress is a vasoconstrictor" [syn: tension, tenseness, stress]