Tĕnt1, n.
n. [Fr. tente, Pr., It., & Pg. tenda, Sp. tienda, L. Lat. tenta, for Lat. tentorium, properly something stretched out, from tendere, tensum, to stretch.]
- A pavilion or portable lodge consisting of canvas or other coarse cloth, stretched and sustained by poles;—used for sheltering persons from the weather, especially soldiers in camp.
- [Fr. tente, It. tenta, from Lat. tentare, to handle, feel, try. See TEMP.] (Surg.) A roll of lint or linen, used to dilate an opening in the flesh, or to prevent the healing of an opening from which matter or other fluid is discharged.
- Attention; regard. [Obs.] Lydgate.
- Intention; design. [Obs.]