n.
1.feelings of hostility that are not manifest
2.(psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense
3.the physical condition of being stretched or strained
4.a balance between and interplay of opposing elements or tendencies (especially in art or literature)
5.(physics) a stress that produces an elongation of an elastic physical body
6.the action of stretching something tight
Idiom of the Day
catch (someone) off balance
to surprise someone who is not prepared
We were caught off balance when we discovered that we had no business license.