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Webster 1913 Edition


Intension

In-ten′sion

,
Noun.
[L.
intensio
: cf. F.
intension
. See
Intend
, and cf.
Intention
.]
1.
A straining, stretching, or bending; the state of being strained;
as, the
intension
of a musical string
.
2.
Increase of power or energy of any quality or thing; intenseness; fervency.
Jer. Taylor.
Sounds . . . likewise do rise and fall with the
intension
or remission of the wind.
Bacon.
3.
(Logic & Metaph.)
The collective attributes, qualities, or marks that make up a complex general notion; the comprehension, content, or connotation; – opposed to
extension
,
extent
, or
sphere
.
This law is, that the
intension
of our knowledge is in the inverse ratio of its extension.
Sir W. Hamilton.

Webster 1828 Edition


Intension

INTEN'SION

,
Noun.
[L. intensio.] A straining, stretching or bending; the state of being strained; as the intension of a musical string.
1.
Increase of power or energy of any quality; opposed to remission.

Definition 2024


intension

intension

See also: intensión

English

Noun

intension (plural intensions)

  1. intensity or the act of becoming intense [1].
    • Francis Bacon
      Sounds [] likewise do rise and fall with the intension or remission of the wind.
  2. (logic, semantics) Any property or quality connoted by a word, phrase or other symbol, contrasted to actual instances in the real world to which the term applies.
    • Sir W. Hamilton
      This law is, that the intension of our knowledge is in the inverse ratio of its extension.
  3. (dated) A straining, stretching, or bending; the state of being strained.
    the intension of a musical string

Usage notes

Not to be confused with intention.

Derived terms

Related terms

References

  1. 1 2 "intension" (The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, 2000)

Venetian

Alternative forms

  • intenzion

Etymology

Compare Italian intenzione

Noun

intension f (invariable)

  1. intention, aim, purpose