Past or present (5 letters)

{ Answer }

TENSE

{ Related Clues }

On edge
Nervous
Past, for one
Present, for one
Strained
Stressed
Taut
Uptight
All nerves
Brace, in a way
High-strung
Keyed up
Lacking slack
Nail-biting
Needing kneading?
Not relaxed
Pluperfect, e.g.
Rigid; taut
Up-tight
Needing a massage, say
Past or future, e.g.
It may be present

{ Tags }

be, edge, eg, future, high, it, jittery, keyed, may, past, perfect, present, rigid, strained, strung, taut, tense, tight, up, uptight, wound

{ Notes }

The answer TENSE is seen frequently, appearing about once every 80 puzzles.

{ 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"