Tenter \Ten"ter\, n.

1. One who takes care of, or tends, machines in a factory; a kind of assistant foreman.

2. (Mach.) A kind of governor.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Tenter \Ten"ter\, n. [OE. tenture, tentoure, OF. tenture a stretching, spreading, F. tenture hangings, tapestry, from L. tendere, tentum, to stretch. See Tend to move.]

A machine or frame for stretching cloth by means of hooks, called tenter-hooks, so that it may dry even and square.

Tenter ground, a place where tenters are erected.

Tenter-hook, a sharp, hooked nail used for fastening cloth on a tenter.

To be on the tenters, or on the tenter-hooks, to be on the stretch; to be in distress, uneasiness, or suspense. --Hudibras.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Tenter \Ten"ter\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Tentered; p. pr. & vb. n. Tentering.]

To admit extension.

Woolen cloth will tenter, linen scarcely. --Bacon.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Tenter \Ten"ter\, v. t. To hang or stretch on, or as on, tenters.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)