Origin and history of tenter

"of the nature of an experiment, based on trial," 1580s, from Medieval Latin tentativus "trying, testing," from Latin tentatus, past participle of tentare "to feel, try" (see tempt (v.)). Related: Tentatively; tentativeness.

also tenter-hook, late 15c., "hook for holding or stretching cloth on a tenter," from tenter (q.v.) + hook (n.).

Extended figuratively to anything that painfully strains or tortures; to be on the tenter, on tenters was "on the rack" 1530s, hence "in distress or suspense." The common figurative phrase on tenterhooks "in painful suspense" is attested from 1748; earlier be on tenters (1530s).