The Clue
Past or present (5 letter answer)
The Answer
TENSE
Tags
Notes
The answer TENSE is seen frequently, appearing about once every 80 puzzles.
Related Clues
On edge
Edgy
Jittery
Nervous
Rigid
Strained
Suspenseful
Taut
Uptight
All nerves
Ex-lax?
High-strung
Keyed up
Not relaxed
Past or future
Perfect, e.g.
Present, e.g.
Present or past
Preterit or present
Rigid; taut
Wound up
All wound up
Language study topic
Needing a massage, say
Past or future, e.g.
Time indicator, of sorts
It may be perfect
In need of a back rub, say
Like a Hitchcock audience, typically
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"