Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary полностью

ten|et /te n I t/ (tenets ) N‑COUNT The tenets of a theory or belief are the main principles on which it is based. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Non-violence and patience are the central tenets of their faith.

ten|ner /te nə ^r / (tenners ) N‑COUNT A tenner is ten pounds or a ten-pound note. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]

ten|nis ◆◇◇ /te n I s/ N‑UNCOUNT Tennis is a game played by two or four players on a rectangular court. The players use an oval racket with strings across it to hit a ball over a net across the middle of the court.

ten|or /te nə ^r / (tenors )

1 N‑COUNT [oft N n] A tenor is a male singer whose voice is fairly high.

2 ADJ A tenor saxophone or other musical instrument has a range of notes that are of a fairly low pitch.

3 N‑SING [with poss] The tenor of something is the general meaning or mood that it expresses. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] The whole tenor of discussions has changed.

te n-pin bo wl|ing also tenpin bowling N‑UNCOUNT Ten-pin bowling is a game in which you try to knock down ten objects shaped like bottles by rolling a heavy ball towards them. It is usually played in a place called a bowling alley. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use bowling

tense /te ns/ (tenser , tensest , tenses , tensing , tensed )

1 ADJ A tense situation or period of time is one that makes people anxious, because they do not know what is going to happen next. □  This gesture of goodwill did little to improve the tense atmosphere at the talks. □  After three very tense weeks he phoned again.

2 ADJ If you are tense , you are anxious and nervous and cannot relax. □  Dart, who had at first been very tense, at last relaxed. ●  tense|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □  She waited tensely for the next bulletin. ●  tense|ness N‑UNCOUNT □  McKay walked slowly toward this screen, feeling a growing tenseness.

3 ADJ If your body is tense , your muscles are tight and not relaxed. □  A bath can relax tense muscles. ●  tense|ness N‑UNCOUNT □  If you feel a tenseness around the eyes, relax your muscles.

4 VERB If your muscles tense , if you tense , or if you tense your muscles, your muscles become tight and stiff, often because you are anxious or frightened. □ [V ] Newman's stomach muscles tensed. □ [V n] Jane tensed her muscles to stop them from shaking. ● PHRASAL VERB Tense up means the same as tense . □ [V P ] When we are under stress our bodies tend to tense up. □ [V P n] Tense up the muscles in both of your legs. [Also V n P ]

5 N‑COUNT The tense of a verb group is its form, which usually shows whether you are referring to past, present, or future time. Compare aspect .

▸  tense up → see tense 4

ten|sile /te nsa I l, [AM ] -s I l/ ADJ [ADJ n] You use tensile when you are talking about the amount of stress that materials such as wire, rope, and concrete can take without breaking; a technical term in engineering. □  Certain materials can be manufactured with a high tensile strength.

ten|sion ◆◇◇ /te nʃ ^ə n/ (tensions )

1 N‑UNCOUNT Tension is the feeling that is produced in a situation when people are anxious and do not trust each other, and when there is a possibility of sudden violence or conflict. □ [+ between ] The tension between the two countries is likely to remain.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Tension is a feeling of worry and anxiety which makes it difficult for you to relax. □  Smiling and laughing has actually been shown to relieve tension and stress.

3 N‑VAR If there is a tension between forces, arguments, or influences, there are differences between them that cause difficulties. □ [+ between ] The film explored the tension between public duty and personal affections.

4 N‑UNCOUNT The tension in something such as a rope or wire is the extent to which it is stretched tight. SYNONYMS tension NOUN

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