Definitions:

1. The quality of being controlled, clear and short. NOUN
   • She did not understand the tautness of the teacher's tone.
2. The quality of being excited or nervous, of of causing someone to feel like this. NOUN
   • He carries himself with a certain tautness, a live-wire constantly on the verge of snapping.
3. The quality of being tight or completely stretched. NOUN
   • The symptoms of sunburn include hot, painful skin, redness and tautness.

Synonyms:

• abruptness
• brusqueness
• crispness
• firmness
• rigidity
• stiffness
• straining
• stretching
• tension
• terseness
• tightness