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Origin and history of tense

tense(adj.)

"stretched tight, being in a state of tension," 1660s, from Latin tensus, past participle of tendere "to stretch, extend" (see tenet). The figurative sense of "in a state of nervous tension" is attested by 1821. Related: Tensely; tenseness.

tense(n.)

[form of a verb showing time of an action or state], early 14c., tens "time, period of time" (a sense now obsolete), also in grammar, "tense of a verb" (late 14c.), from Old French tens "time, period of time, era; occasion, opportunity; weather" (11c., Modern French temps), from Latin tempus "a portion of time" (also source of Spanish tiempo, Italian tempo; see temporal (adj.1)).

tense(v.)

"make taut, stretch tight," 1670s (implied in tensed), from tense (adj.); intransitive sense of "become tense" is by 1884 (implied in tensing); often as tense up.

also from 1670s

Entries linking to tense

temporal(adj.1)

late 14c., "worldly, secular, of or pertaining to the present life;" also "terrestrial, earthly;" also "temporary, lasting only for a time;" from Old French temporal "earthly," and directly from Latin temporalis "of time, denoting time; but for a time, temporary," from tempus (genitive temporis) "time, season, moment; proper time or season," from Proto-Italic *tempos- "stretch, measure," which according to de Vaan is from PIE *temp-os "stretched," from root *ten- "to stretch," the notion being "stretch of time."

Limited in time, but less fleeting than what is temporary. As "of or pertaining to time, expressing relations of time," by 1877. Related: Temporally. As a noun, late 14c., "that which is worldly; the secular, secular concerns." Temporalty "the laity" is by late 14c. Temporalism "secularism, absorption in mundane matters" (opposed to the spirit of religion) is by 1872.

tenet(n.)

"principle, opinion, or dogma maintained as true by a person, sect, school, etc.," properly "a thing held (to be true)," early 15c., from Latin tenet "he holds," third person singular present indicative of tenere "to hold, grasp, keep, have possession, maintain," also "reach, gain, acquire, obtain; hold back, repress, restrain;" figuratively "hold in mind, take in, understand" (from PIE root *ten- "to stretch"). The connecting notion between "stretch" and "hold" is "cause to maintain."

The modern sense is probably because tenet was used in Medieval Latin to introduce a statement of doctrine.

*ten-

Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to stretch," with derivatives meaning "something stretched, a string; thin."

It might form all or part of: abstain; abstention; abstinence; abstinent; atelectasis; attend; attenuate; attenuation; baritone; catatonia; catatonic; contain; contend; continue; detain; detente; detention; diatonic; distend; entertain; extend; extenuate; hypotenuse; hypotonia; intend; intone (v.1) "to sing, chant;" isotonic; lieutenant; locum-tenens; maintain; monotony; neoteny; obtain; ostensible; peritoneum; pertain; pertinacious; portend; pretend; rein; retain; retinue; sitar; subtend; sustain; tantra; telangiectasia; temple (n.1) "building for worship;" temple (n.2) "flattened area on either side of the forehead;" temporal; tenable; tenacious; tenacity; tenant; tend (v.1) "to incline, to move in a certain direction;" tendency; tender (adj.) "soft, easily injured;" tender (v.) "to offer formally;" tendon; tendril; tenement; tenesmus; tenet; tennis; tenon; tenor; tense (adj.) "stretched tight;" tensile; tension; tensor; tent (n.) "portable shelter;" tenterhooks; tenuous; tenure; tetanus; thin; tone; tonic.

It might also be the source of: Sanskrit tantram "loom," tanoti "stretches, lasts," tanuh "thin," literally "stretched out;" Persian tar "string;" Lithuanian tankus "compact," i.e. "tightened;" Greek teinein "to stretch," tasis "a stretching, tension," tenos "sinew," tetanos "stiff, rigid," tonos "string," hence "sound, pitch;" Latin tenere "to hold, grasp, keep, have possession, maintain," tendere "to stretch," tenuis "thin, rare, fine;" Old Church Slavonic tento "cord;" Old English þynne "thin."

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