Ten*sil"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being tensile, or capable
of extension; tensibility; as, the tensility of the muscles. Dr. H.
Mere.
Ten"sion (?), n. [L. tensio, from tendere, tensum, to stretch: cf. F.
tension. See Tense, a.] 1. 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. Fig.: Extreme strain of mind or excitement of feeling; intense
effort.
3. 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. Gwilt.
4. (Mech.) 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 device for checking the delivery of the thread in a sewing
machine, so as to give the stitch the required degree of tightness.
6. (Physics) 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. (Elec.) 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.
Tension brace, or Tension member (Engin.), a brace or member designed
to resist tension, or subjected to tension, in a structure. — Tension
rod (Engin.), an iron rod used as a tension member to strengthen timber
or metal framework, roofs, or the like.
Ten"sioned (?), a. Extended or drawn out; subjected to tension. "A
highly tensioned string." Tyndall.
Ten"si*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being tense, or strained to
stiffness; tension; tenseness.
Ten"sive (?), a. [Cf. F. tensif. See Tense, a.] Giving the sensation of
tension, stiffness, or contraction.
A tensive pain from distension of the parts.
Floyer.
Ten"sor (?), n. [NL. See Tension.] 1. (Anat.) A muscle that stretches a
part, or renders it tense.
2. (Geom.) The ratio of one vector to another in length, no regard
being had to the direction of the two vectors; — so called because
considered as a stretching factor in changing one vector into another.
See Versor.
Ten"-strike` (?), n. 1. (Tenpins) A knocking down of all ten pins at
one delivery of the ball. [U. S.]