tension

Where does the word "tension" come from? It comes from Latin tendere, passing through Latin before entering English (1500s).

Tension’s story begins in Latin: tendere meant “to stretch.” The root of 'tend', 'extend' and 'tent'. Within Latin, it grew into tensio by ancient. Formed as a noun for the state of being stretched. It reached English by 1500s as tension. Settled as the English word for a state of being stretched tight, or mental strain. Today, tension means a state of mental or physical strain, or the state of being stretched tight.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient tendere "to stretch", the root of 'tend', 'extend' and 'tent'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient tensio "the state of being stretched", formed as a noun for the state of being stretched.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s tension "a state of being stretched tight, or mental or social strain", settled as the English word for a state of being stretched tight, or mental strain.