[f. L. tens-us TENSE a. + -ITY: cf. intensity.] The quality or condition of being tense; a state of tension.

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  a.  lit. (chiefly Physiol. and Path.).

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1658.  Phillips, Tensity, stiffnesse, or a being stretched out hard.

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1676.  Cole, in Phil. Trans., XI. 604. There could be, in that supposition of a Continuity of fibre, tensity enough in the Intestins to carry on such a motion.

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1717.  J. Keill, Anim. Oecon. (1738), 261. That robust Tensity of the Fibres, which makes strong People the less liable to accidents.

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  b.  fig.

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1862.  Carlyle, Fredk. Gt., XI. vii. (1872), IV. 95. It braced him into such a tensity of spirit.

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1884.  W. Collins, I say No, I. ix. The first change of expression which relaxed the iron tensity of the housekeeper’s face showed itself.

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