tense

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time
  2. verb become stretched or tense or taut
  3. verb increase the tension on

Etymology

From Middle English tens, from Old French tens (modern French temps), from Latin tempus. Doublet of tempo and tempus.

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