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Tense vs Cense - What's the difference?

tense | cense |

As verbs the difference between tense and cense

is that tense is while cense is (obsolete) to perfume with incense.

As a noun cense is

(obsolete) a census.

tense

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) tens (modern French temps), from (etyl) tempus.

Noun

(en noun)
  • (grammar) Any of the forms of a verb which distinguish when an action or state of being occurs or exists.
    • The basic tenses in English are present, past and future.
    Derived terms
    * tensal

    Verb

    (tens)
  • (grammar) To apply a tense to.
    • tensing a verb

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) tensus, past participle of .

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Showing signs of stress or strain; not relaxed.
    • You need to relax, all this overtime and stress is making you tense .
  • Pulled taut, without any slack.
    • Derived terms
    * hypertense

    Verb

    (tens)
  • To make or become tense.

    • Anagrams

    * * * ----

    cense

    English

    Etymology 1

    Verb

  • (obsolete) To perfume with incense.
  • * Dryden
    • The Salii sing and cense his altars round.

    Etymology 2

    (etyl) cense, (etyl) cens, (etyl) (lena) census.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) A census.
  • (obsolete) A public rate or tax.
    • (Howell)
    (Francis Bacon)
  • (obsolete) condition; rank
    • (Ben Jonson)
    (Webster 1913)

    Anagrams

    * ----