tense

Definition

The property of indicating the point in time at which an action or state of being occurs or exists.

Etymology

From Middle English tens, from Old French tens (modern French temps), from Latin tempus. Doublet of tempo and tempus.

Example Sentences

• "Dyirbal verbs are not inflected for tense."
• "English only has a past tense and a non-past tense; it has no future tense."
• "In ſo moche that if any verbe be of the thyꝛde coniugation I ſet out all his rotes and tenſes[…]"