I. ten·ter ˈtentə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English teyntur, tayntour, taynter, perhaps modification (influenced by Middle French teindre to dye) of Medieval Latin tentura, from Latin tentus (past participle of tendere to stretch) + -ura -ure — more at thin
1. : a frame or endless track with hooks or clips along two sides that is used for drying and stretching cloth
2. archaic : tenterhook
•
- on the tenters
II. tenter transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English teynteren, from teyntur, taynter tenter
: to hang or stretch on or as if on a tenter
III. tent·er ˈtentə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: tent (IV) + -er
1. Britain : one that has charge of something ; specifically : one that tends a machine in a factory
2. Britain : helper 2
IV. tenter noun
( -s )
Etymology: tent (II) + -er
: one that lives in or occupies a tent
they slept in better style than tenters — Gordon Webber