verb.
Simple past tense and past participle of tense.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
adjective.
having inflections to indicate tense
Word Usage
"His expression tensed, lips held firmly shut over clenched teeth, then assumed a submissive position: head bowed, ears front and down, elbows out, and all fourteen fingers interlocked to show contrition."