adjective
taut
TAWT/tɔːt/
Tightly stretched or controlled, with little looseness.
The taut rope stretches straight between the posts without sagging.
Etymology
Middle English tohte already described something stretched or pulled tight rather than slack. Its deeper origin is obscure; a development from tough is considered probable, possibly influenced by an Old English verb meaning “pull.”
In context
Raise the tension beam a little. You want tension to be firm, but not taut like a guitar string.
More examples
- Keep the fabric taut as you stitch.
- His taut muscles relax after a few deep breaths.
- The novel's taut prose keeps the story moving.
Forms
taut · tauter · tautest
tautness noun — The state of being tightly stretched or controlled.
tautly adverb — In a tightly stretched or controlled manner.