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.

The temples were sunk, her forehead was tense, and a fatal paleness was upon her. --Goldsmith. -- Tense"ly, adv. -- Tense"ness, n.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Tense \Tense\, n. [OF. tens, properly, time, F. temps time, tense. See Temporal of time, and cf. Thing.]

(Gram.) One of the forms which a verb takes by inflection or by adding auxiliary words, so as to indicate the time of the action or event signified; the modification which verbs undergo for the indication of time.

Note: The primary simple tenses are three: those which express time past, present, and future; but these admit of modifications, which differ in different languages.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)