Etymology:
Meaning:
"Tenterhooks" means a state of intense suspense or anxiety.
Origin:
The term "tenterhooks" originated in the 1600s. It is believed to have been used first in reference to the discomfort experienced by clothworkers who were stretched on tenter frames. The sharp teeth would dig into their skin, causing pain and anxiety.
Over time, the term came to be used metaphorically to describe any situation where someone is feeling highly anxious or stressed. The idea is that the person is feeling as if they are being stretched and pulled apart, similar to the cloth on a tenter frame.
Etymology Tenter A frame used to stretch cloth or fabric Hook A curved device used to
Etymology French tenter to attempt try Latin temptare to probe attempt test
Etymology Middle English abstynen Old French and Anglo Norman abstinence Latin absti
Etymology The word abstention is derived from the Latin word abstinere which means
Etymology Late Middle English from Old French abstinence from Latin abstinentia from
Etymology The word abstinent comes from the Latin word abstinens which means refra
Etymology The word atelectasis is derived from the Greek words ἀτελής atelē
Etymology Old French atendre Late Latin attendere from ad to towards tendere
Etymology Late Latin attenuare from Latin attenuis thin slender slight From Proto
Etymology Latin attenuare to make thin Proto Indo European ten thin Meani
Etymology Late Middle English 14th century from Italian baritono from Greek barys
Etymology Catatonia is derived from Greek roots Kata down Tonos tone or te
Etymology Greek katatonia katá down tonos tension Meaning A state of reduced
Etymology Latin continere Late Latin contēnere Meaning To hold or enclose s
Etymology and Meaning Contend comes from the Latin word contendere which means to str
Etymology Latin continuus uninterrupted continuous Meaning and Origin 1 Cont
Etymology Old French detenir Latin detinere from detinere to detain hold back Pre
Etymology French détendre to loosen relax from Late Latin distendere to stretch ou
Etymology Derived from Latin detinere meaning to hold back detain or keep De
Etymology The word diatonic is derived from the Greek word διάτονος diatóno
Etymology From Middle English disten dysten c 1400 from Anglo Norman French disten
Etymology Derivatives of the word entertain include Old French entartenir to hol
Etymology Origin Latin extendere meaning to stretch out Meaning To lengthen str
Etymology Latin extenuare Meaning to make thin weaken Meaning Extenuate mean
Etymology The word hypotenuse is derived from the Greek words hypo below or un
Etymology hypo Greek under or below tonos Greek tone or tension Meanin
Etymology Middle English entenden from Anglo Norman French entendre from Medieval La
Etymology The word intone derives from the Latin verb intonāre meaning to thunder
Etymology The term isotonic is derived from two Greek roots iso meaning equal
Etymology The word lieutenant comes from the Old French word lieutenant which in tur
Etymology Latin locum place tenens holding Meaning A person who temporarily
Etymology Derived from the Old French word maintenir which means to hold keep or
Etymology Latin monotonia Greek monos single sole tonos tone Meaning
Etymology The word neoteny is derived from the Greek words neos νέος meaning
Etymology the study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have chang
Etymology Latin ostendere to show exhibit Past participle ostensus French os
Etymology Greek peri around teinein to stretch Meaning A serous membran
Etymology Latin pertinēre to belong to to have a relation to to concern Proto In
Etymology Late Latin pertinacis pertinax resolute persistent Latin pertinere to
Etymology Old French portendre Latin portendere from porro forward tendere t
Pretend Etymology From Middle English pretenden meaning to claim or profess to be
Rein Etymology The word rein is derived from the Middle English term reine which is
Etymology Retain is derived from the Latin word retinere meaning to hold back ke
Etymology The word retinue is derived from the Old French word retenue which means
Etymology The word sitar is derived from the Persian word setar which means three s
Etymology Old French subtendre Latin sub under tendere to stretch Meaning
Etymology Latin sustinēre to hold up sustain endure Proto Indo European steh₂
Etymology Telangiectasia is derived from the Greek roots Telangi meaning blood ves
Etymology The English word temple is derived from the Latin word templum which in t
Etymology The English word temple is derived from the Latin word templum which in t
Etymology The word temporal is derived from Latin temporalis which in turn comes fro
Etymology Latin tenēre to hold keep possess Indo European root ten to stretch
Etymology Latin tenax tenacis holding fast grasping Proto Indo European ten
Etymology Old French tence adjectival noun meaning tenacity Latin tenacitas tigh
Etymology Old French tenant Latin tenens present participle of tenere to hold
Etymology The word tend comes from the Middle English word tenden which in turn com
Etymology The word tendency comes from the Latin word tendere which means to stretc
Etymology The word tender comes from the Old French verb tendre meaning to stretch
Etymology The word tender comes from the Old French verb tendre meaning to stretch
Etymology The word tendon is derived from the Latin word tendo which means I stretc
Etymology Middle English tendel from Anglo Norman French tendel from Vulgar Lati
Etymology Tenement originates from the Latin word tenere meaning to hold or to p
Etymology Tenesmus comes from the Greek word teinō meaning to strain or stretch an
Etymology Latin teneō meaning to hold keep or possess Meaning A principle
Etymology The word tennis is derived from the French word tenez which means hold o
Etymology Latin tenuis thin slender Old French tenon Meaning A protruding
Etymology The word tenor comes from the Latin word tenere meaning to hold Meanin
Etymology Old French tens Latin tempus time Meaning A form of a verb that in
Etymology The word tensile is derived from the Latin word tensilis meaning able to
Etymology Latin tensio a stretching Proto Indo European ten to stretch Me
Etymology The word tensor is derived from the Latin verb tendere which means to str
Etymology The word tent originates from the Old French word tente which itself comes
Etymology Tenter refers to a frame used in clothmaking to stretch and dry fabric whi
Etymology The word tenuous comes from the Latin word tenuis meaning thin slender or
Etymology Latin tenura holding tenure possession Old French tenure holding Midd
Etymology Greek tetanos Latin tetanus Meaning A rigid involuntary contracti
Etymology The word thin is derived from the Old English word þynne which is itself
Etymology Origin Middle English toune from Old English tun meaning enclosed set
Etymology The word tonic comes from the Latin word tonicus which means pertaining
Etymology Claw derives from the Middle English clawe which in turn originated from th
Etymology The word fudge has an uncertain etymology but there are several theories
Etymology The word stymie comes from the Middle English term stymye which means to
Etymology The word flush has two distinct etymologies depending on its meaning 1 T
Etymology The word religion is derived from the Latin word religio which means rev
Etymology Latin exsilium exile banishment Proto Indo European eks s il out
Etymology Latin scientia meaning knowledge Greek ἐπιστήμη epistēmē m
Etymology The word hyperbole comes from the Greek word hyperbolē which means overt
