Spänna

Spänna is a Swedish verb that means to tighten, to stretch, or to apply tension to something. It is used when securing a rope, tightening a belt, fastening a mechanism, or pulling a bowstring taut. Metaphorically, it can describe increasing effort, preparation, or readiness.

Origin and cognates: Spänna derives from Old Norse spenna and is cognate with Danish spænde and Norwegian spenne. It belongs to the Germanic language family and shares a common Proto-Germanic root related to tension and binding.

Form and usage: The infinitive is spänna; present tense spänner; past tense spände; supine spänt; participle forms include the past participle spänt and the adjective spänd meaning taut. The verb can take a direct object (spänna ett rep) and combines with auxiliary verbs to form perfect tenses (har spännt).

Other uses: In onomastics, Spänna appears occasionally as a surname and in toponyms in Swedish-speaking regions, though it is uncommon as a generic noun. The term is distinct from related nouns such as spännings (tension) and spänne (buckle).