pre-tensioned
|pre-ten-sioned|
/ˌpriːˈtɛnʃən/
(pre-tension)
apply tension before use
Etymology
'pre-tensioned' originates from the English prefix 'pre-' (from Latin 'prae') meaning 'before' and 'tension' from Latin 'tensio' / 'tendere' meaning 'to stretch'; the '-ed' is the past participle/ adjective-forming suffix in English.
'tension' came into English via Old French and Middle English from Latin 'tensio' (from 'tendere'), while the prefix 'pre-' comes from Latin 'prae'; the compound 'pre-tensioned' is a modern English formation combining 'pre-' + 'tension' + '-ed' to denote something given tension beforehand.
Initially the elements meant 'before' and 'to stretch'; combined in modern technical use they came to mean 'having been stretched or placed under tension in advance'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past tense or past participle form of 'pre-tension' (to apply tension to something in advance of use).
They pre-tensioned the steel tendons before pouring the concrete.
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Adjective 1
subjected to tension applied in advance (commonly used of steel tendons or reinforcement in concrete, where tension is applied before casting).
The pre-tensioned beams were lifted into position.
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Last updated: 2025/12/23 08:43