tense - become stretched or tense or taut; "the bodybuilder's neck muscles tensed;" "the rope strained when the weight was attached" strain tighten - become tight or tighter; "The rope tightened" 2. tense - increase the tension on; "alternately relax and tense your calf muscle"; "tense...
2. The acts of a court of justice ought to be in the present tense; as, "praeceptum est," not "preaceptum fuit;" but the acts of, the party may be in the preterperfect tense, as "venit, et protulit hic in curia quandum querelam suam;" and the continuances are in the pret...