tense

1. ADJ A tense situation or period of time is one that makes people anxious, because they do not know what is going to happen next. 令人緊張的 (形勢、時期等)

This gesture of goodwill did little to improve the tense atmosphere at the talks. 這一友好姿態(tài)對改善談判的緊張氣氛幾乎沒起什么作用。

2. ADJ If you are tense, you are anxious and nervous and cannot relax. (人) 緊張的

Mark, who had at first been very tense, at last relaxed. 馬克起初非常緊張，最后終于放松了。

3. ADJ If your body is tense, your muscles are tight and not relaxed. (肌肉) 緊繃的

A bath can relax tense muscles. 泡個澡能放松緊繃的肌肉。

4. V-T/V-I If your muscles tense, if you tense, or if you tense your muscles, your muscles become tight and stiff, often because you are anxious or frightened. 使 (肌肉) 繃緊; 繃緊

Newman's stomach muscles tensed. 紐曼的腹部肌肉繃緊了。

5. PHRASAL VERB Tense up means the same as . 繃緊

When we are under stress our bodies tend to tense up. 當(dāng)我們處在壓力之下時，我們的身體往往會繃緊。

6. N-COUNT The tense of a verb group is its form, which usually shows whether you are referring to past, present, or future time. (動詞的) 時態(tài)

It was as though Corinne was already dead: they were speaking of her in the past tense. 就好像科琳已經(jīng)死了似的：他們當(dāng)時在用過去時態(tài)談起她。