Past or present? (5)
I believe the answer is:
tense
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'past' is the first definition.
(past tense)
'present?' is the second definition.
(present tense)
(Other definitions for tense that I've seen before include "Verb form, indicates time" , "imperfect, perhaps?" , "Strained - form of verb" , "Taut, strained" , "Nervous or tight" .)