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. 令人紧张的 (形势、时期等)

This gesture of goodwill did little to improve the tense atmosphere at the talks. 这一友好姿态对改善谈判的紧张气氛几乎没起什么作用。

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

Mark, who had at first been very tense, at last relaxed. 马克起初非常紧张，最后终于放松了。

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

A bath can relax tense muscles. 泡个澡能放松紧绷的肌肉。

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) 绷紧; 绷紧

Newman's stomach muscles tensed. 纽曼的腹部肌肉绷紧了。

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

When we are under stress our bodies tend to tense up. 当我们处在压力之下时，我们的身体往往会绷紧。

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. (动词的) 时态

It was as though Corinne was already dead: they were speaking of her in the past tense. 就好像科琳已经死了似的：他们当时在用过去时态谈起她。