intension

From Latin intēnsiō (“straining, effort; intensifying”), from intēnsus (“stretched”), perfect passive participle of intendō (“strain or stretch toward”) [1].

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 with 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

Not to be confused with intention.

• intensional

• extension
• comprehension

• intenzion

Compare Italian intenzione

intension f (invariable)

1. intention, aim, purpose