intension noun. [ɪn'tɛnʃ(ǝ)n] E17.
[Latin intensio(n-), from intens- pa. ppl stem of intendere: see INTEND, -ION. A doublet of INTENTION.]
1. The action of stretching or straining. Now rare or obsolete. E17.
■ T. Hogg His voice..was intolerably shrill, harsh..of the most cruel intension.

2. Strenuous exertion of the mind or will; earnest attention, intentness. E17.
Cornhill Magazine Suddenly I found myself springing to my feet, and listening with an agony of intension.

3. Increase in degree or force; intensification. E17.
■ W. Sanderson Brightness is the Intension of Light.

4. (Notable) degree of a quality; strength, force, intensity. Freq. opp. EXTENSION 3. E17.
Nineteenth Century The essence of farming on virgin soils is extension; on old land it is intension.

5. Logic. The internal content of a concept; the sum of the attributes contained in it. Opp. EXTENSION 4b. M19.

■ intensional adjective (Philosophy) relating to the attributes contained in a concept L19.

■ intensionalist noun & adjective (Philosophy) (a) noun a person who considers a concept from the standpoint of its inner attributes; (b) adjective relating to the attributes contained in a concept: M20.

■ intensio'nality noun (Philosophy) the state or fact of being intensional M20.

■ intensionally adverb (Philosophy) by way of intension L19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲