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tensionmore about tension

tension

 

  3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Vapor  pressure  \Vapor  pressure\  or  tension  \tension\  .  (Physics) 
  The  pressure  or  tension  of  a  confined  body  of  vapor.  The 
  pressure  of  a  given  saturated  vapor  is  a  function  of  the 
  temperature  only,  and  may  be  measured  by  introducing  a  small 
  quantity  of  the  substance  into  a  barometer  and  noting  the 
  depression  of  the  column  of  mercury. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Tension  \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 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  tension 
  n  1:  feelings  of  hostility  that  are  not  manifest;  "he  could  sense 
  her  latent  hostility  to  him";  "the  diplomats'  first 
  concern  was  to  reduce  international  tensions"  [syn:  {latent 
  hostility}] 
  2:  a  state  mental  or  emotional  strain  or  suspense;  "he  suffered 
  from  fatigue  and  emotional  tension"  [syn:  {tenseness},  {stress}] 
  3:  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"  [syn:  {tensity},  {tenseness},  {tautness}] 
  4:  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" 
  5:  (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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