tenter

American  

[ten-ter] / ˈtɛn tər /

noun

1. a framework on which cloth in the process of manufacture is stretched so it may set or dry evenly.

2. Obsolete. a tenterhook.

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verb (used with object)

1. to stretch (cloth) on a tenter or tenters.

verb (used without object)

1. to be capable of being tentered.

tenter British  

/ ˈtɛntə /

noun

1. a frame on which cloth is stretched during the manufacturing process in order that it may retain its shape while drying

2. a person who stretches cloth on a tenter

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verb

1. (tr) to stretch (cloth) on a tenter

Other Word Forms

• untentered adjective

Etymology

Origin of tenter

1300–50; Middle English tente to stretch (< Latin tentus, variant of tēnsus tense ¹ ) + -er ¹; replacing Middle English teyntur, of unclear derivation

Example Sentences

Soon Jocelin himself is wrestling with the high cost of inspiration, strung taut between the tenter hooks of divine and earthly means.

From Time Magazine Archive

His attitude betrays an overwhelming, gloomy anxiety which has him on tenter hooks.

From Anna Christie by O'Neill, Eugene

Syne, while I still was on the tenter, I scunnered at the new prezentor; I thocht him gesterin' an' cauld - A sair declension frae the auld.

From Underwoods by Stevenson, Robert Louis

I'm on tenter hooks to know whether I shall have a Reprimand, or a bad conduct mark in my report.

From A Young Girl's Diary by Paul, Eden

Vos Hautes Puissances jugeront bien par le camp que nous venons de prendre, qu'on n'a pas voulu se r�soudre � tenter les lignes.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol 58, No. 357, July 1845 by Various