The Clue
Past or imperfect (5 letter answer)
The Answer
TENSE
Tags
Notes
The answer TENSE is seen frequently, appearing about once every 80 puzzles.
Related Clues
On edge
Jittery
Jumpy
Nervous
Pluperfect, for one
Rigid
Stiffen
Strained
Stressed
Suspenseful
Taut
Uptight
Brace, in a way
Future, e.g.
High-strung
Highly charged
Lacking slack
Not easy
Past or present
Pluperfect, e.g.
Preterit or present
Stiffen, with "up"
Up-tight
Worked up
All keyed up
All wound up
English 101 subject
Future perfect, e.g.
Language study topic
Like a game overtime
Not at all relaxed
Past or present, e.g.
It may be perfect
Like a Hitchcock audience, typically
Present, for example, in English class
Definition
TENSE as a noun:
1. a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time
TENSE as a verb:
1. (strain, tense) = become stretched or tense or taught; "the bodybuilder's neck muscles tensed;" "the rope strained when the weight was attached"
2. increase the tension on; "alternately relax and tense your calf muscle"; "tense the rope manually before tensing the spring"
3. (tense, tense up) = become tense, nervous, or uneasy; "He tensed up when he saw his opponent enter the room"
4. (tense, strain, tense up) = cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious; "he got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up"
TENSE as an adjective:
1. in or of a state of physical or nervous tension
2. pronounced with relatively tense tongue muscles (e.g., the vowel sound in `beat')
3. taut or rigid; stretched tight; "tense piano strings"