| 1. |
(noun) (physics) a stress that produces an elongation of an elastic physical body; "the direction of maximum tension moves asymptotically toward the direction of the shear" |
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Related Words: stress |
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| 2. |
(noun) a balance between and interplay of opposing elements or tendencies (especially in art or literature); "there is a tension created between narrative time and movie time"; "there is a tension between these approaches to understanding history" |
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Related Words: balance |
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| 3. |
(noun) a state mental or emotional strain or suspense; "he suffered from fatigue and emotional tension" |
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Synonyms: stress, tenseness |
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Related Words: breaking point, mental strain, nervous strain, strain |
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| 4. |
(noun) the physical condition of being stretched or strained; "it places great tension on the leg muscles"; "he could feel the tenseness of her body"; "the violinist adjusted the tension of the strings" |
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Synonyms: tautness, tenseness, tensity |
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Related Words: condition, status, tone, tonicity, tonus |
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| 5. |
(noun) feelings of hostility that are not manifest; "he could sense her latent hostility to him"; "the diplomats' first concern was to reduce international tensions" |
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Synonyms: latent hostility |
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Related Words: antagonism, enmity, hostility |
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