The Collaborative International Dictionary
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, To be on the tenter-hooks or To be
on tenterhooks, to be on the stretch; to be in distress,
uneasiness, or suspense.
--Hudibras.
Usage examples of "tenter-hook".
I could only wait on tenter-hooks to find out if he would be dead within the next few moments.
Frank was busy about his own affairs and paid little attention to him, but Jill was on tenter-hooks to know where he had been, yet dared not ask the question.