definitions

tensor

[ ten-ser, -sawr ]
/ ˈtɛn sər, -sɔr /
|

noun

Anatomy. a muscle that stretches or tightens some part of the body.
Mathematics. a mathematical entity with components that change in a particular way in a transformation from one coordinate system to another.

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Nearby words

tension headache, tension suture, tensity, tensive, tenson, tensor, tensor analysis, tensor bandage, tensor muscle of broad fascia, tensor muscle of soft palate, tensor muscle of tympanic membrane

Origin of tensor

1695–1705; < New Latin: stretcher, equivalent to Latin tend(ere) to stretch (see tend1) + -tor -tor, with dt > s

Related forms

ten·so·ri·al [ten-sawr-ee-uh l, -sohr-] /tɛnˈsɔr i əl, -ˈsoʊr-/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for tensor

British Dictionary definitions for tensor

tensor

/ (ˈtɛnsə, -sɔː) /

noun

anatomy any muscle that can cause a part to become firm or tense
maths a set of components, functions of the coordinates of any point in space, that transform linearly between coordinate systems. For three-dimensional space there are 3 r components, where r is the rank. A tensor of zero rank is a scalar, of rank one, a vector

Derived Forms

tensorial (tɛnˈsɔːrɪəl), adjective

Word Origin for tensor

C18: from New Latin, literally: a stretcher
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for tensor

tensor

[ tĕn′sər, -sôr′ ]

n.

A muscle that stretches or tightens a body part.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for tensor

tensor

[ tĕn′sər, -sôr′ ]

A structure of quantities arranged by zero or more indices, such as a scalar (zero indices), a vector (one index), or a matrix (two indices), which is invariant under transformations of coordinates.
Any of various muscles that stretch or tighten a body part, as the muscle that acts to tense the soft palate, called the tensor palati.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.