a.

1. 拉紧的，绷紧的
   The ropes are tense.

   这些绳子是拉紧的。

2. （心理或神经）紧张的；引起紧张的
   The situation suddenly became tense.

   局势突然变得紧张起来。

   The defendant was extremely tense.

   被告极为紧张。

vt.

1. 使拉紧，使绷紧；使紧张[（+up）]
   All his muscles were tensed.

   他的肌肉全都绷紧了。

vi.

1. 拉紧，绷紧；变得紧张[（+up）]
   She tensed at the approaching footsteps.

   她听到越来越近的脚步声马上紧张了起来。

n.

1. 【语】（动词的）时态，时式[C][U]
   Change this verb from the present into the past tense.

   把这个动词从现在时改为过去时。

adj.

1. (especially of a muscle) stretched tight or rigid.
2. (of a person) unable to relax.
   ▸causing or showing anxiety and nervousness.
3. Phonetics  (of a speech sound, especially a vowel) pronounced with the vocal muscles stretched tight. The opposite of lax.

v.

n.