\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.

\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.

\Ten"ter\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Tentered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Tentering}.]
To admit extension.
      Woolen cloth will tenter, linen scarcely. --Bacon.

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