to be on tenter-hooks

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• To be on the tenter-hooks — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• tenter hooks — see tenter and tentering …   Dictionary of ichthyology

• 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• Tenter ground — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• Tenter-hook — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• tenter — a bar of wood fitted with hooks on which fish are hung to dry, hence tenter hooks (Scottish dialect) …   Dictionary of ichthyology

• Tenter — Frame on which material was secured by hooks so as to dry without shrinkage or loss of shape. From this we have on tenter hooks . [< Lat. tendo = to stretch] …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases

• tenter — I. noun Etymology: Middle English teyntur, probably from Medieval Latin tentura, from tenta tent frame, tent Date: 14th century 1. a frame or endless track with hooks or clips along two sides that is used for drying and stretching cloth 2.… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

• To be on tenterhooks — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• To be on the tenters — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• tentering — hanging fish by tenter hooks on tenter sticks. Tenter sticks are rods that are square in cross section and carry hooks on each face …   Dictionary of ichthyology