tenter Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a framework with hooks used for stretching and drying cloth

WordNet

Ten"ter noun
Definitions
  1. One who takes care of, or tends, machines in a factory; a kind of assistant foreman.
  2. (Mach.) A kind of governor.
Ten"ter noun
Etymology
OE. tenture, tentoure, OF. tenture a stretching, spreading, F. tenture hangings, tapestry, from L. tendere, tentum, to stretch. See Tend to move.
Definitions
  1. A machine or frame for stretching cloth by means of hooks, called tenter-hooks, so that it may dry even and square.
Ten"ter intransitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Tentered ; present participle & verbal noun Tentering
Definitions
  1. To admit extension.
    Woolen cloth will tenter, linen scarcely. Bacon.
Ten"ter transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To hang or stretch on, or as on, tenters.

Webster 1913