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.
Hear it pronounced