tensile
Americanadjective
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of or relating to tension.
tensile strain.
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capable of being stretched or drawn out; ductile.
adjective
-
of or relating to tension
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sufficiently ductile to be stretched or drawn out
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of tensile
From the New Latin word tēnsilis, dating back to 1620–30. See tense 1, -ile
Explanation
Use the adjective tensile to describe materials that can be shaped, such as the tensile clay that a potter crafts into a bowl or vase. Tensile rhymes with "pencil." It might remind you of the word tense, and in fact, tensile can also mean "having to do with tension." Think about a tensile material, like wire. It will stretch and stretch until it reaches its limit. Drawn tight, with no slack, the wire has tensile stress.
Vocabulary lists containing tensile
The ACT Science Test: Physics Review
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Physical Science: Physical Laws, Work, and Motion
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"Modern Automotive Technology," Vocabulary from Section 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Wow, she was gorgeous,” said Mr. Han, 30, now a senior analyst at Tensile Capital, an investment firm based in Larkspur, Calif.
From New York Times • Nov. 12, 2021
Tensile strands of feminist and environmentalist activism run through her programme, not least the timely focus on Pussy Riot, two of whom still languish in Russian detention camps.
From The Guardian • Jun. 22, 2013
Modulus of elasticity in bending Tensile strength Crushing strength Modulus of rupture Lbs. per sq. in.Lbs. per sq. in.Lbs. per sq. in.Lbs. per sq. in.
From The Mechanical Properties of Wood Including a Discussion of the Factors Affecting the Mechanical Properties, and Methods of Timber Testing by Record, Samuel J.
Tensile strength: Requirements applying to neat cement and to 1 part cement with 3 parts standard sand: Time specification.Neat cement.
From Transactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers, vol. LXX, Dec. 1910 Federal Investigations of Mine Accidents, Structural Materials and Fuels. Paper No. 1171 by Wilson, Herbert M.
This will be seen in the following table: Weight Tensile Compressive per cubic ft.
From Flying Machines: construction and operation; a practical book which shows, in illustrations, working plans and text, how to build and navigate the modern airship by Chanute, Octave
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
