teso

tense

adjective TEH-zoh Rare

Origin: Latin tensus, past participle of tendere (to stretch)

Also means

taut

Usage Note

Teso describes physical tension (una corda tesa, a taut rope) and emotional anxiety (è molto teso prima dell'esame, very tense before the exam). It agrees in gender and number: teso / tesa / tesi / tese. Do not confuse with teso as past participle of tendere ('stretched' or 'held out'), which is the same form.

Examples

"Era teso prima del colloquio."

Natural Translation

He was tense before the interview.

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