noun
- a sharp hooked nail used to fasten cloth on a tenter for drying
Usage: historical; textile manufacturing
Examples
- The cloth was stretched on tenterhooks to dry evenly.
- Workers carefully attached the fabric to each tenterhook.
- She was on tenterhooks waiting for the test results.
- The suspense had everyone on tenterhooks.
- He remained on tenterhooks until the announcement was made.
- The audience was on tenterhooks during the final scene.
- I’ve been on tenterhooks all week about the job interview.