intensionn.
/ɪnˈtɛnʃən/ 1. The action of stretching, tension; straining. ? Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > quality of voice > [noun] > forced voice > straining
intension1603
extension1655
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > longitudinal extent > [noun] > making long or longer > drawing out to greater length > forcibly or tightly
strainingc1400
extension1526
intention1580
stretch1600
intension1603
distensiona1640
distractionc1720
1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 395 There be in musicke many divers tunes and different intensions of the voice, which the musicians call harmonies.
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §181 The Industry of the Musitian hath produced two other Meanes of Straining, or Intension of Strings, besides their Winding vp.
1661 R. Lovell Πανζωορυκτολογια, sive Panzoologicomineralogia 359 From great intension of the voice.
1858 T. J. Hogg Life Shelley I. 56 His voice..was intolerably shrill, harsh..of the most cruel intension.
2. Strenuous exertion of the mind or will; earnest attention, intentness; resolution, determination.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > earnest attention, concentration > [noun]
intendance1390
intentionc1400
intensiona1619
absorption1640
immersion1647
preoccupation1788
concentration1823
engrossment1838
self-condensation1841
enchainment1849
submergence1872
immersal1901
absorbency1974
the mind > will > decision > resolution or determination > [noun]
willOE
businessa1387
wilfulnessc1386
restc1400
point1477
appointmenta1535
firmitude?1541
resoluteness?1560
resolve1592
resolution1594
constancy1603
resolvance1603
resolvedness1611
intensiona1619
determinateness1652
decisiveness1714
determinedness1747
decision1770
decidedness1800
setness1818
determinativeness1821
determination1822
virtu1876
the courage of one's convictions or opinions1878
self-determination1890
adamancy1898
drivenness1902
adamance1925
a1619 W. Cowper in C. H. Spurgeon Treasury of David (1882) VI. Ps. cxix. 131 A vehement intension of his spirit.
1676 M. Hale Contempl. Moral & Divine i. 456 While with great intension of mind we gaze upon the End.
1822 Examiner 251/1 Resolution here means, a bending up, an intension of the spirits.
1860 G. MacDonald in Cornhill Mag. June 675 Suddenly I found myself springing to my feet, and listening with an agony of intension [1864 intention].
3.
a. Increase of degree or force; augmentation, intensification. (Opposed to remission.) [Compare Scholastic Latin intensio et remissio formae, in Peter of Ailly a1400, Prantl IV. 105.]
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > increase in quantity, amount, or degree > [noun] > increase in intensity
intention1603
intension1610
exasperation1633
exaltation1729
intensation1826
intensification1864
richening1881
hotting-up1940
1610 J. Healey tr. J. L. Vives in tr. St. Augustine Citie of God xii. ii. 442 He directly affirmeth that essence admitteth neither intention nor remission, more nor lesse.
1615 H. Crooke Μικροκοσμογραϕια 574 Parts of the Eares which serue as well for the reception of the sound into them, as also for the intension thereof.
1658 W. Sanderson Graphice 48 Brightness is the Intension of Light.
1751 J. Harris Hermes i. xi. 195 Some of these Quantities and Qualities are capable of Intension, and Remission.
1842 H. E. Manning Serm. xvi. 231 The mind cannot without a strain be ever at one pitch.., it must have its intervals of intension and remission.
Categories »
b. In Evolution: see intergeneration n. Cf. intensive adj. 7.
4. Degree, esp. notable degree, of some quality, etc.; intensity, depth, strength, force. Often contrasted with extension in sense of width of range.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > degree or relative amount of a quality, action, etc. > [noun]
prickOE
degreec1380
greec1386
largenessa1398
rate1523
size1534
pitcha1568
pin1584
scantling1586
intension1604
assize1625
proportion1641
process1655
to a certain extent1671
intensity1794
level1897
1604 T. Wright Passions of Minde (new ed.) v. §4. 29 In all the obiects of delight, we may find a certaine intension of goodnes and a certaine extension.
1638 F. Junius Painting of Ancients 326 The pictures..having vehemencie and intension, seeme to be forcibly expressed.
1651 Bp. J. Taylor XXVIII Serm. iv. 48 It may be of universal efficacie, large in the extension of parts, deep in the intension of degrees.
1872 H. Spencer Princ. Psychol. (ed. 2) II. vi. vi. 50 Intension being synonymous with intensity.
1888 19th Cent. May 718 The essence of farming on virgin soils is extension; on old land it is intension.
1898 S. J. Andrews Christ & Antichrist i. 8 The hostile kingdoms should not only increase in extension, but also increase in intension.
5. Logic. The internal quantity or content of a notion or concept, the sum of the attributes contained in it; the number of qualities connoted by a term (= comprehension n. 4, connotation n. 2b; opposed to extension n. 8b). Cf. intensive adj. 3.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > logic > logical classification > [noun] > logical intension
comprehension1725
intension1836
quantity1843
intensionality1937
1836–60 W. Hamilton Lect. Logic viii The Internal Quantity of a notion,—its Intension or Comprehension, is made up of..the various characters connected by the concept itself into a single whole in thought.
1851 H. L. Mansel Prolegomena Logica vi. 188 Formal distinctness as regards the intension or comprehension of the concept.
1876 W. S. Jevons Logic v. §23. 22 In putting steam before ship we have greatly reduced the extension of the term. But we have increased its intension, because steam-ship means all that ship does, and more, for it means that the ship is moved by steam power.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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