Crossword Genius

Nervous -- and imperfect, perhaps? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tense

I believe this is a double definition.

'nervous' is the first definition.
('tense' can be similar in meaning to 'nervous')

'imperfect perhaps?' is the second definition.
(imperfect is a kind of tense)

'and' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for tense that I've seen before include "Under emotional strain" , "Uneasy" , "(Of muscle) tight" , "Taut - timely verbal indication" , "not together?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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