[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

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.
      1913 webster

   2. fig.: extreme strain of mind or excitement of feeling;
      intense effort.
      1913 webster

   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.
      1913 webster

   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.
      1913 webster

   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.
      1913 webster

   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.
      1913 webster

   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.
      1913 webster

   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.
      1913 webster
see also:
tense tension brace tension member tension rod 

Brace >> B Words
Brace, definition of term: Brace
brace_pag1.html

Tension >> T Words
Tension, definition of term: Tension
tension_pag1.html

Main Brace >> M Words
Main Brace, definition of term: Main Brace
main+brace_pag1.html

Surface Tension >> S Words
Surface Tension, definition of term: Surface Tension
surface+tension_pag1.html