I. ˈtent noun
Etymology: Middle English tente, from Anglo-French, from Latin tenta, feminine of tentus, past participle of tendere to stretch — more at thin
Date: 14th century
1. : a collapsible shelter of fabric (as nylon or canvas) stretched and sustained by poles and used for camping outdoors or as a temporary building
2. : dwelling
3.
a. : something that resembles a tent or that serves as a shelter ; especially : a canopy or enclosure placed over the head and shoulders to retain vapors or oxygen being medically administered
b. : the web of a tent caterpillar
• tent·less ˈtent-ləs adjective
• tent·like -ˌlīk adjective
II. verb
Date: circa 1608
intransitive verb
1. : to reside for the time being : lodge
2. : to live in a tent
transitive verb
1. : to cover with or as if with a tent
2. : to lodge in tents
III. transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from tent attention, short for attent, from Anglo-French atente, from atendre to attend
Date: 14th century
chiefly Scottish : to attend to