Etymology dictionary

temporal (adj.2) — teratoid (adj.)

temporal (adj.2)

"of or pertaining to the temples of the head; postorbital," 1590s, from Medieval Latin temporalis, from Latin tempora; see temple (n.2).

late 14c., "worldly, secular, of or pertaining to the present life;" also "terrestrial, earthly;" also "temporary, lasting only for a time;" from Old French temporal "earthly," and directly from Latin temporalis "of time, denoting time; but for a time, temporary," from tempus (genitive temporis) "time, season, moment; proper time or season," from Proto-Italic *tempos- "stretch, measure," which according to de Vaan is from PIE *temp-os "stretched," from root *ten- "to stretch," the notion being "stretch of time."

Limited in time, but less fleeting than what is temporary. As "of or pertaining to time, expressing relations of time," by 1877. Related: Temporally. As a noun, late 14c., "that which is worldly; the secular, secular concerns." Temporalty "the laity" is by late 14c. Temporalism "secularism, absorption in mundane matters" (opposed to the spirit of religion) is by 1872.

temporize (v.)

"comply with the times; yield ostensibly to the current of opinion or circumstances," 1550s (implied in agent-noun temporizer), from French temporiser "to pass one's time, wait one's time" (14c.), from Medieval Latin temporizare "pass time," which is perhaps via Vulgar Latin *temporare "to delay," from Latin tempus (genitive temporis) "time" (see temporal (adj.1)). Related: Temporized; temporizing; temporation. Middle English had temporen, "to spend or pass time" (early 15c.).

temporizer (n.)

"one who complies with prevailing opinion or fashion, a trimmer," agent noun related to temporize (q.v.). For sense, compare time-server.

temporaneous (adj.)

1650s, "lasting for a time only, temporary;" also 1650s as "pertaining to time, temporal," from Late Latin temporaneous "timely." from Latin tempus (genitive temporis) "time, season; proper time" (see temporal (adj.1)).

temporary (adj.)

"not permanent, lasting for a time only," 1540s, from Latin temporarius "of seasonal character, lasting a short time," from tempus (genitive temporis) "time, season" (see temporal (adj.1), which was the earlier word for "lasting but for a time"). The noun meaning "person employed only for a time" is recorded from 1848; compare temp. Related: Temporarily; temporariness.

temporicide (n.)

1851, "the killing of time," from stem of Latin tempus "time" (see temporal (adj.1)) + -cide. By 1876 as "one who kills time."

temps perdu (n.)

French, "time lost," the past seen nostalgically, 1932, always an allusion to Proust.

tempting (adj.)

"inviting, seductive, that entices or allures," 1540s to evil, 1590s to pleasure, present-participle adjective from tempt (v.). Other adjectives were temptative "inducing or leading to sin" (mid-15c., from Medieval Latin temptativus), temptatious (c. 1600), temptsome (1849). Related: Temptingly.

tempt (v.)

c. 1200, tempten, of the devil, flesh, etc., "draw or entice to evil or sin, lure (someone) from God's law; be alluring or seductive," from Old French tempter, tenter (12c.) and directly from Latin temptare "to feel, try out, test; attempt to influence," a variant of tentare "handle, touch, try, test." De Vaan says this is from a PIE *tempto-, from a verbal root meaning "to touch, feel," "for which the root *temp- 'to stretch' seems a good candidate." See temple (n.2).

It is attested from late 14c. in the meaning "provoke, defy" (God, fate, etc.). Related: Tempted; tempting; temptable; temptability.

The Latin alteration is "explainable only as an ancient error due to some confusion" [Century Dictionary], but there is a pattern; compare attentare, a variant of attemptare (as in (Modern French attenter). Also compare Spanish pronto (adv.) from Latin promptus.

temptation (n.)

c. 1200, temptacioun, "act of enticing someone to sin," also "an experience or state of being tempted," from Old French temptacion (12c., Modern French tentation) and directly from Latin temptationem (nominative temptatio), noun of action from past-participle stem of temptare "to feel, try out" (see tempt). The meaning "that which tempts a person (to sin)" is from c. 1500.

Though English tempt has remained close to Latin temptare, temptation has partaken of the Latin collateral form and was frequently tentation in Middle and early Modern English. a form which "was much used by theological writers" 16c.-17c. [OED. 1989].

tempter (n.)

mid-14c., temptour, "one who solicits to sin; that which entices to evil" (originally especially the devil), from Old French tempteur (14c.), *tempteor, or directly from Latin temptatorem, agent noun from temptare "to feel, try out" (see tempt). Probably in part also a native formation from tempt. The variant temptator is attested from mid-15c.

temptress (n.)

"woman who entices," 1590s, from tempter + -ess.

tempura (n.)

deep-fried seafood dish, 1920, from Japanese; the word is said to be probably from Portuguese tempero "seasoning."

temulency (n.)

"drunkenness, intoxication," 1620s, from Latin temulentia, from temulentus, "drunken," said to have been formed on analogy of vinolentus from temetum "intoxicating liquor" (according to de Vaan from a PIE *temo- "intoxication"). Related: Temulence; temulently; temulent.

ten (num.)

"1 more than nine, twice five; the number which is one more than nine; a symbol representing this number;" Old English ten (Mercian), tien (West Saxon), adjective and noun, from Proto-Germanic *tehun (source also of Old Saxon tehan, Old Norse tiu, Danish ti, Old Frisian tian, Old Dutch ten, Dutch tien, Old High German zehan, German zehn, Gothic taihun "ten"), from PIE root *dekm- "ten."

The meaning "ten o'clock" is from 1712. Sometimes used to indicate "a large number." The Texan's exaggerated ten-gallon hat is from 1919. To be ten feet tall "feeling extremely successful or confident" is by 1962. The ten-foot pole that you wouldn't touch something with (1909) was earlier a 40-foot pole; the notion is of keeping one's distance, as in the advice to use, when dining with the devil, a long spoon.

Ten-four "I understand, message received," is attested in popular jargon from 1962, from citizens band and emergency dispatch radio 10-codes (which were in use in U.S. by 1950). Ten-speed, "bicycle with ten gears" is by 1977.

*ten-

Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to stretch," with derivatives meaning "something stretched, a string; thin."

It forms all or part of: abstain; abstention; abstinence; abstinent; atelectasis; attend; attenuate; attenuation; baritone; catatonia; catatonic; contain; contend; continue; detain; detente; detention; diatonic; distend; entertain; extend; extenuate; hypotenuse; hypotonia; intend; intone (v.1) "to sing, chant;" isotonic; lieutenant; locum-tenens; maintain; monotony; neoteny; obtain; ostensible; peritoneum; pertain; pertinacious; portend; pretend; rein; retain; retinue; sitar; subtend; sustain; tantra; telangiectasia; temple (n.1) "building for worship;" temple (n.2) "flattened area on either side of the forehead;" temporal; tenable; tenacious; tenacity; tenant; tend (v.1) "to incline, to move in a certain direction;" tendency; tender (adj.) "soft, easily injured;" tender (v.) "to offer formally;" tendon; tendril; tenement; tenesmus; tenet; tennis; tenon; tenor; tense (adj.) "stretched tight;" tensile; tension; tensor; tent (n.) "portable shelter;" tenterhooks; tenuous; tenure; tetanus; thin; tone; tonic.

It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Sanskrit tantram "loom," tanoti "stretches, lasts," tanuh "thin," literally "stretched out;" Persian tar "string;" Lithuanian tankus "compact," i.e. "tightened;" Greek teinein "to stretch," tasis "a stretching, tension," tenos "sinew," tetanos "stiff, rigid," tonos "string," hence "sound, pitch;" Latin tenere "to hold, grasp, keep, have possession, maintain," tendere "to stretch," tenuis "thin, rare, fine;" Old Church Slavonic tento "cord;" Old English þynne "thin."

tenable (adj.)

"capable of being maintained or defended against attacks," 1570s of fortresses, 1711 of theories, from French tenable (12c.), from tenir "to hold," from Latin tenere "to hold, keep" (see tenet).

tenacity (n.)

early 15c., tenacite, "quality of holding firmly, firmness of hold or purpose," from Old French ténacité (14c.) and directly from Latin tenacitas "an act of holding fast," from tenax (genitive tenacis) "holding fast, gripping, clingy; firm, steadfast," from tenere "to hold" (see tenet). The same PIE root produced two Latin verbs, tenere "to hold, grasp," and tendere "to stretch" (as in tend (v.1)), which perhaps is from an inflected form in the PIE verb. Both Latin verbs have past participle tentus.

tenacious (adj.)

"inclined to hold fast, retaining what is in possession," c. 1600, from Latin stem of tenacity + -ous. Related: Tenaciously; tenaciousness.

tenacle (n.)

"forceps, tongs," late 14c., from Latin tenaculum, a diminutive form ultimately from tenere "to hold" (see tenet). Obsolete unless in botany, in reference to processes of climbing plants.

tenancy (n.)

"a holding (of lands) by tenure," also "duration of a tenure," 1590s; see tenant + -cy.

tenant (n.)

early 14c. (early 13c. as a surname), tenaunt, in law, "person who holds lands by title or by lease," from Anglo-French tenaunt (late 13c.), Old French tenant "possessor; feudal tenant" (12c.), noun use of present participle of tenir "to hold," from Latin tenere "hold, keep, grasp" (see tenet).

The general sense of "one who holds property by lease from a landlord" is by late 14c. Tenant-farmer, one who cultivates land as a tenant, is attested from 1748.

tenantry (n.)

early 15c., tenauntrie, "tenants collectively; state of being a tenant; property attached to a manor and let in exchange for money or service;" see tenant + -ery.

tench (n.)

type of European fish, late 14c., perhaps via French (compare Modern French tanche) from Late Latin tinca (Medieval Latin tenca).

tend (v.2)

c. 1300, "minister to, wait upon;" early 14c., "attend to, listen," a shortening of attend (Middle English atenden). Also "intend to" (early 14c.) as a shortening of intend.

tend (v.1)

early 14c., tenden, "turn the mind or attention to, be intent upon;" late 14c., "spread, stretch, extend;" also "move or direct oneself in a certain direction;" from Old French tendre "stretch out, hold forth, hand over, offer" (11c.), from Latin tendere "to stretch, extend, make tense; aim, direct; direct oneself, hold a course" (see tenet).

The same PIE root produced two Latin verbs, tendere "to stretch" and tenere "to hold, grasp" (source of tenacity, etc.), perhaps from inflected forms in the one PIE verb. Both Latin verbs have past participle tentus.

Especially "have a tendency to operate in a particular way; be influential in some direction."

tendant (adj.)

mid-14c., tendaunt, "leading to a certain condition or state," from Old French tendant, past-participle of tendre "to offer, hold forth" (see tend (v.)).

The other Middle English tendaunt, "attentive, obedient" (late 14c.), is a shortening of attendant.

tendency (n.)

"inclination to move some way or toward some end," 1620s, from Medieval Latin tendentia "inclination, leaning," from Latin tendens, present participle of tendere "to stretch, extend, aim" (see tenet). Earlier in same sense, but rare later, was tendaunce (mid-15c.), from Old French tendance.

tendential (adj.)

"of the nature of or having a tendency," 1877, from Latin stem of tendency + -al (1). Related: Tendentially.

tendentious (adj.)

"having a definite purpose," 1871, from or modeled on German tendenziös, from Tendenz "tendency," from Medieval Latin tendentia (see tendency). Compare tendential. Related: Tendentiously.

tenderizer (n.)

"one who or that which makes tender," in any sense, 1942, agent noun from tenderize. From a culinary preparation to soften meats to a steak-hammer.

tenderize (v.)

1733, "make (a person, a way of life) tender or more tender," from tender (adj.) + -ize. As "make physically tender," by 1764. Specifically of food, by 1935, probably a new coinage. Related: Tenderized; tenderizing.

The earlier verb was simply tender "become tender, soften; be moved emotionally; care for (someone)," late 14c., still in use for Spenser, Shakespeare, Congreve.

tenderness (n.)

early 14c., tendernesse, "delicacy, sensitivity to pain;" also "capacity for emotion, kindness, compassion;" late 14c. as "youth, immaturity;" from tender (adj.) + -ness.

tenderer (n.)

"one to whom an offer is tendered," 1640s, agent noun from tender (v.). Tenderee "one to whom an offer is tendered" is by 1883 (see -ee).

tender (n.2)

"a formal offer for acceptance, offer made from one party to another," a legal word, 1540s, from tender (v.). The specific sense of "money (or other thing) offered as payment" is from 1740, in legal tender "currency which by law must be accepted from a debtor" (see legal). Earlier it meant "a grant providing a trade license" (late 15c., from Old French tendre).

tender (v.)

"make offer of, offer formally" (a plea, an oath, evidence), especially "offer (money) in payment," c. 1400, tendren, from Old French tendre "to offer, hold forth" (11c.), from Latin tendere "to stretch, extend, make tense; aim, direct; direct oneself, hold a course" (from PIE root *ten- "to stretch"). The retention of the ending of the French infinitive is unusual (compare render (v.)).

tender (adj.)

c. 1200, "immature, having the delicacy of youth, unsophisticated," also "susceptible to injury, sensitive to pain," from Old French tendre, Anglo-French tender, "soft, delicate; young" (11c.), from Latin tenerem (nominative tener) "soft, delicate; of tender age, youthful." For the unetymological -d-, see D.

This is reconstructed to be a derivative of PIE root *ten- "to stretch" on the notion of "stretched," hence "thin," hence "weak" or "young." Compare Sanskrit tarunah "young, tender," Greek teren "tender, delicate," Armenian t'arm "young, fresh, green." Also see tenet.

The meaning "kind, affectionate, loving" also "easily pained, very sensitive," is recorded from late 13c. As "expressing sensitive feelings" from c. 1300.

Of food, "not tough, soft and easy to cut or chew," mid-13c. Of plants and their parts, "slender, not hardy," late 14c. Related: Tenderly; tenderness.

tender (n.1)

late 15c., "person who tends another," probably an agent noun formed from Middle English tenden "attend to" (see tend (v.2)).

The sense shift from 1825 to "man who tends to a machine" (in the locomotive engine-tender) or a business operation (bartender, 1836). The nautical meaning "small vessel used to attend larger ones," supplying provisions, conveying information, etc., is by 1670s. In railroading, "car attached to the locomotive for fuel, water, etc.," by 1825.

tenderfoot (n.)

by 1866, American English, originally a slighting or dismissive term used of newcomers to a Western ranching or mining district, from tender (adj.) + foot (n.). The U.S. equivalent of what in Great Britain was generally called a greenhand. As a level in Boy Scouting, it is recorded from 1908.

Tender-footed (adj.) "cautious", originally of horses, is recorded from 1680s; in reference to persons by 1854.

tender-hearted (adj.)

"having great susceptibility to the softer passions," 1530s, from tender (adj.) + -hearted. The image is older, wymmen of tendre heorte is by late 13c.

Compare tenderfoot, also tender-eyed, 1530s as "weak-eyed, dim-sighted;" 1610s in the figurative sense of "affectionate, gentle;" also tender-eared "sensitive to blame or criticism" (1520s). Tender-minded "sensitive, idealistic" is from c. 1600.

tenderling (n.)

1540s, "delicate or effeminate person;" 1580s, "young child;" see tender (adj.) + -ling.

tenderloin (n.)

1828, "part of a loin of pork or beef tenderer than the rest," from tender (adj.) + loin. The slang meaning "police district noted for vice" appeared by 1887 in New York City, on the notion of the neighborhood of the chief theaters, restaurants, etc., being the "juciest cut" for graft and blackmail.

tendinous (adj.)

"having or full of tendons," 1650s, from Medieval Latin tendinous, from tendin-, genitive of tendo (see tendon). Related: Tendinal (late 14c.).

tendinitis (n.)

"inflammation of a tendon," 1900, from Medieval Latin tendinis, genitive of tendo (see tendon) + -itis "inflammation."

tendonitis (n.)

see tendinitis.

tendon (n.)

"dense, fibrous band at the end of a muscle for attachment to a hard part," 1540s, from Medieval Latin tendonem (nominative tendo), altered (by influence of Latin tendere "to stretch") from Late Latin tenon, from Greek tenon (genitive tenontos) "tendon, sinew" (from PIE *ten-on- "something stretched," from root *ten- "to stretch"). Earlier in English as tenoun (late 14c.), from the unaltered Latin form.

tendril (n.)

in botany, "leafless plant-organ attaching to another for support," 1530s, from French tendrillon "bud, shoot, cartilage," perhaps a diminutive of tendron "cartilage" (from Old French tendre "soft;" see tender (adj.)), or else from Latin tendere "to stretch, extend" (see tenet), or from a confusion of the two in French.

Transferred use (of hair, etc.) by 1610s; figurative of clinging attachment by 1841. Related: Tendrilous.

tenebrous (adj.)

"full of darkness, gloomy," late 15c., from Old French tenebros "dark, gloomy" (11c., Modern French ténébreux), from Latin tenebrosus "dark," from tenebrae "darkness," which, according to de Vaan, is dissimilated from earlier *temebrai, from PIE root *temsro- "dark" (adj.), for which see temerity.

Related: Tenebrosity "darkness, gloom, obscurity" (early 15c.); tenebrity "quality of being dark" (1792); tenebrious "pertaining to darkness, of a dark nature" (1590s). Tenebrose "dark in color" is attested from early 15c., from Latin tenebrosus; it was used by 1670s as "morally or mentally dark."

Tenebrific "producing darkness" is by 1773; it is implied earlier in tenebrificating (1743).

Tenebrer "bearer of darkness" (early 15c.) was an epithet of Satan; compare Lucifer. Tenebrescence "a tending to grow dark" is by 1946 in the jargon of radar technicians. Blount (1656) has tenebrion "one that will not be seen by day, a lurker, a night-thief ; also a night-spirit, a hobgoblin."

Tenebrae ("darkness") is used of certain offices of the Catholic Church during Holy Week that emphasize the spiritual darkness of the season.

tenebrism (n.)

1959, in reference to the group of 17c. Italian painters in the style of Caravaggio, with -ism + tenebroso, from Italian tenebroso "dark," from Latin tenebrosus "dark, gloomy," from tenebrae "darkness" (see tenebrous). The style highlighted features by contrast with dark settings. The group was known in English by 1886 as the tenebrosi.

tenement (n.)

c. 1300, "the holding of immovable property," also "building or parcel of land held by an owner," from Anglo-French (late 13c.), Old French tenement "fief, land, possessions, property" (12c.), from Medieval Latin tenementum "a holding, fief" (11c.), from Latin tenere "to hold" (see tenet).

The general meaning "dwelling place, residence" is attested from early 15c.; especially "one of a number of apartments in a building, each occupied by a family" (1590s). Tenement house "house broken up into apartments," typically in a poor section of a city is recorded by 1858, American English, from tenement in an earlier sense (especially in Scotland) "large house constructed to be let to a number of tenants" (1690s). Related: Tenamented; tenemental (Blackstone).

tenesmus (n.)

"a straining" (to void the contents of the bowels), 1520s, medical Latin, from Greek teinesmos "a straining," from teinein "to stretch. strain" (from PIE root *ten- "to stretch"). Earlier tenasmon (early 15c.), from Old French tenasmon.

tenet (n.)

"principle, opinion, or dogma maintained as true by a person, sect, school, etc.," properly "a thing held (to be true)," early 15c., from Latin tenet "he holds," third person singular present indicative of tenere "to hold, grasp, keep, have possession, maintain," also "reach, gain, acquire, obtain; hold back, repress, restrain;" figuratively "hold in mind, take in, understand" (from PIE root *ten- "to stretch"). The connecting notion between "stretch" and "hold" is "cause to maintain."

The modern sense is probably because tenet was used in Medieval Latin to introduce a statement of doctrine.

tenfold (adj.)

"ten times as much or many; consisting of ten parts, having ten aspects," Old English tienfeald; see ten + -fold. As an adverb in modern use from 1530s, "ten times."

tenner (n.)

1861, "ten-pound note," slang, from ten + -er (3). As "ten-dollar bill" by 1887 (ten-spot in this sense dates from 1848).

Tennessee

state and river, from Cherokee (Iroquoian) village name ta'nasi', which is of unknown origin. Related: Tennesseean (by 1808).

tennis (n.)

mid-14c., tenis, name of an old and elaborate handball game for 2, 3, or 4 (ancestor of modern court tennis), played in an enclosed space specially constructed for the purpose. The name is most likely from Anglo-French tenetz "hold! receive! take!," from Old French tenez, imperative of tenir "to hold, receive, take" (see tenet), which was used as a call from the server to his opponent.

The original version of the game (a favorite sport of medieval French knights) was played by striking the ball with the palm of the hand, and in Old French was called la paulme, literally "the palm," but to an onlooker the service cry might naturally identify the game. Century Dictionary says all of this is "purely imaginary."

The use of the word for the modern game is from 1874, short for lawn tennis, which originally was called sphairistike (1873), from Greek sphairistikē (tekhnē) "(skill) in playing at ball," from the root of sphere. It was invented, and named, by Maj. Walter C. Wingfield (1833-1912) and played first at a garden party in Wales, inspired by the popularity of badminton.

Tennis-ball "ball used in tennis" is attested from early 15c.; as figurative of something or someone batted back and forth, by 1580s. The tennis-court on which the game is played is so called from 1560s. Tennis elbow identified as such by 1883, when the new ailment was much noted in newspaper columns; tennis-arm in the same sense is by 1887.

tennis shoe is from 1884, probably short for lawn tennis shoe (by 1877).

"Anyone for tennis?" as "a typical entrance or exit line given to a young man in a superficial drawing-room comedy" [OED, 1989] is suggested by 1953.

Tenochtitlan

former Aztec city, Nahuatl (Aztecan), literally "place of the nopal rock," from tetl "rock" + nuchtli "nopal," a species of cactus sacred to the sun god.

tenon (n.)

in carpentry, joinery, ironwork, etc., "the projection inserted to make a joint," late 14c., tenoun, from Anglo-French tenoun, Old French tenon "a tenon," from Old French tenir "to hold" (see tenet). As a verb from 1590s, "joined by or as by tenons" (originally figurative). As "make fit for insertion into a mortise" by 1771. Related: Tenoned.

tenor (n.)

c. 1300, tenour, "general meaning, prevailing course, purpose, drift," of a thought, saying, etc., from Old French tenor "substance, contents, meaning, sense; tenor part in music" (13c. Modern French teneur), from Latin tenorem (nominative tenor) "a course," originally "continuance, uninterrupted course, a holding on," from tenere "to hold" (see tenet).

In English, the musical sense of "highest adult male voice" is attested from late 14c.; it is so-called because the tenor's part carried the "sustained melody" (canto fermo) in medieval choral music. Medieval Latin used tenor literally for "chief melody," and the word was extended to the voice to which that part was assigned.

The meaning "singer with a tenor voice" is attested from late 15c. As an adjective, "of or pertaining to the (musical) tenor," by 1520s.

tenpenny (adj.)

also ten-penny, "valued at or worth ten pence," 1590s, from ten + penny.

tenpins (n.)

game of bowls played in a long alley, c. 1600, from ten + plural of pin (n.). From the number of pins to be knocked down.

tense (v.)

"make taut, stretch tight," 1670s (implied in tensed), from tense (adj.); intransitive sense of "become tense" is by 1884 (implied in tensing); often as tense up.

tense (n.)

[form of a verb showing time of an action or state], early 14c., tens "time, period of time" (a sense now obsolete), also in grammar, "tense of a verb" (late 14c.), from Old French tens "time, period of time, era; occasion, opportunity; weather" (11c., Modern French temps), from Latin tempus "a portion of time" (also source of Spanish tiempo, Italian tempo; see temporal (adj.1)).

tense (adj.)

"stretched tight, being in a state of tension," 1660s, from Latin tensus, past participle of tendere "to stretch, extend" (see tenet). The figurative sense of "in a state of nervous tension" is attested by 1821. Related: Tensely; tenseness.

tensile (adj.)

1620s, "stretchable, capable of being drawn-out or extended in length," from Modern Latin tensilis "capable of being stretched," from Latin tensus, past participle of tendere "to stretch" (from PIE root *ten- "to stretch"). The meaning "pertaining to tension" is from 1841. Related: Tensility.

tension (n.)

1530s, "a stretched condition," from French tension (16c.) or directly from Latin tensionem (nominative tensio) "a stretching" (in Medieval Latin "a struggle, contest"), noun of state from tensus, past participle of tendere "to stretch" (from PIE root *ten- "to stretch").

Use in mechanics and physics is from 1680s. The meaning "stress along lines of electromotive force" (as in high-tension wires) is recorded by 1785. The sense of "nervous strain, mental strain, great activity of emotion or will" is by 1763.

tensome (n.)

"group of ten," early 15c., tensom; see ten + -some.

tensor (n.)

in anatomy, "one of several muscles that stretch or tighten a part," 1704, Modern Latin agent noun from tens-, past-participle stem of Latin tendere "to stretch" (from PIE root *ten- "to stretch").

ten-strike (n.)

in bowling, a roll of the ball which knocks down all ten pins, by 1840, from ten + strike (n.) in the bowling sense. Hence, figuratively, "something entirely successful or decisive."

tent (v.)

"to camp in a tent," 1856, in tenting it, from tent (n.). Earlier it meant "to pitch a tent, pitch one's tent" (1550s). Earlier still as "stretch cloth, etc." (c. 1400), perhaps as a back-formation from tenter "wooden frame used to stretch cloth." Related: Tented; tenting.

tent (n.)

c. 1300, tente, "portable shelter of skins or coarse cloth stretched over poles," from Old French tente "tent, hanging, tapestry" (12c.), from Medieval Latin tenta, etymologically "something stretched out," noun use of fem. singular of Latin tentus "stretched," variant past participle of tendere "to stretch" (from PIE root *ten- "to stretch").

The notion is of the "stretching" of hides, etc. over a framework. The tent-caterpillar or web-worm, larva of a type of North American moth, is so called by 1854, from the tent-like silken webs in which they live gregariously.

tentative (adj.)

"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.

tentacle (n.)

in zoology, "an elongated, slender, flexible appendage or process of an animal," as an organ of touch or exp0loration, 1762, from Modern Latin tentaculum, literally "feeler," from Latin tentare "to feel, try" (see tempt (v.)) + -culum, diminutive suffix (see -cule). Earlier in English in the Modern Latin form (1752). Related: Tentacular "of or pertaining to tentacles" (1828); tentaculate "furnished with tentacles" (1804, tentaculated).

tenter (n.)

c. 1300, "wooden framework for stretching cloth," a word of uncertain origin, probably via Old French (but the evolution of the ending is obscure), from Medieval Latin tentor, tentoris, from Latin tentorium "tent made of stretched skins," from tentus "stretched," variant past participle of tendere "to stretch" (from PIE root *ten- "to stretch").

The other form of the Latin past-participle yielded tentative. Also compare tenterhook. As a verb, "hang or stretch on or as on a tenter," 1630s.

tenterhook (n.)

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).

tenterhooks (n.)

see tenterhook.

tenth (num.)

"next in order after the ninth; an ordinal numeral; being one of ten equal parts into which a whole is regarded as divided;" mid-12c. (or late Old English), tenðe; see ten + -th (1). It replaced Old English teoða (West Saxon), teiða (Northumbrian), which is preserved in tithe.

For the old formation, compare Old Saxon tehando, Old Frisian tegotha, Dutch tiende, Old High German zehanto, German zehnte, Gothic taihunda. For the shift, compare seventh, replacing seofunda, seofoþa; ninth, replacing niend, ninde).

As a noun from c. 1200, "a tenth part, one of 10 equal parts into which anything may be divided." As "tenth day of a month," by 1570s. Related: Tenthly. Tenthing (n.) for "tithing" is from early 14c.

tenticle (n.)

"a little tent," 1540s, from Medieval Latin *tentacula, diminutive of tenta "tent" (see tent (n.)).

tent-pole (n.)

"one of the poles used in pitching a tent," 1706, from tent (n.) + pole (n.1).

tenuious (adj.)

"tenuous, attenuated, thin," late 15c., from Latin tenuis "thin" (see tenuous) + -ous.

tenuity (n.)

"want of substantial thickness," early 15c., tenuite, from Old French tenuite, from Latin tenuitas "thinness, slenderness, fineness, smallness," from tenuis "thin" (see tenuous).

tenuous (adj.)

1590s, "thin, unsubstantial," irregularly formed with -ous + from Latin tenuis "slender, thin, fine; drawn out, meager, slim," figuratively "trifling, insignificant, poor, low in rank" (according to Watkins from PIE root *ten- "to stretch").

The correct form with respect to the Latin is tenuious. The figurative sense of "having slight importance, not substantial" is attested from 1817 in English. Related: Tenuously; tenuousness.

tenure (n.)

early 15c., "right to hold or use land in exchange for duty or service to a superior; land or property so held," from Anglo-French and Old French tenure "a tenure, estate in land" (13c.), from Old French tenir "to hold," from Vulgar Latin *tenire, from Latin tenere "to hold" (see tenet).

The sense of "condition or fact of holding a status, position, or occupation" is attested by 1590s, hence "period during which anything is held." The meaning "guaranteed tenure of office" (usually at a university or school) is recorded from 1957. Related: Tenured "having guarantee of office" (1961); tenurable (1977); tenurial.

teocalli (n.)

place of worship of ancient Mexicans, 1570s, from American Spanish, from Nahuatl (Aztecan) teohcalli "temple, church," literally "god-house," from teotl "god" + calli "house."

teonanacatl (n.)

native name for a hallucinogenic fungi (Psilocybe mexicana) found in Central America, 1875, from Nahuatl (Aztecan), from teotl "god" + nancatl "mushroom."

tepee (n.)

tent used by some native North American peoples, 1743, ti pee, from Dakota (Siouan) thipi "dwelling, house."

tepefy (v.)

"make tepid, make moderately warm." 1650s, from Latin tepeficare, from tepere "be moderately warm" (see tepid) + facere "to do" (from PIE root *dhe- "to set, put"). Related: Tepefaction.

tephro-

word-forming element of Greek origin, used in modern sciences (especially of dust and rock fragments from volcanic eruptions), from Latinized combining form of Greek tephra "ash, ashes," which according to Beekes is "derived from a root for 'burn' seen in Skt. dahati, Lith. degu," etc.

tephromancy (n.)

"divination by means of ashes from a sacrifice," 1650s, from Modern Latin tephromantia, from Greek tephra "ash, ashes" (see tephro-) + manteia "divination" (see -mancy).

tepid (adj.)

c. 1400, tepide, of liquids, "moderately warm, lukewarm," from Latin tepidus "lukewarm," from tepere "be moderately warm," from PIE root *tep- "to be warm" (source also of Sanskrit tapati "makes warm, heats, burns," tapas "heat, glow; austerity;" Avestan tafnush "fever;" Old Church Slavonic topiti "to warm," teplu "warm;" Old Irish tene "fire;" Welsh tes "heat").

Figurative use (of affections, etc.) from 1510s.Related: Tepidly; tepidity. The Roman tepidarium was a room set apart in a bath-house for the warm bath.

tequila (n.)

Mexican brandy, 1849 (from 1841 as vino de Tequila), from American Spanish tequila, from Tequila, name of a district in central Mexico noted for the quality of its tequila. Tequila sunrise is attested by 1965.

*ters-

Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to dry."

It forms all or part of: inter; Mediterranean; metatarsal; parterre; subterranean; tarsal; tarsus; Tartuffe; terra; terrace; terra-cotta; terrain; terran; terraqueous; terrarium; terrene; terrestrial; terrier; territory; thirst; toast; torrent; torrid; turmeric; tureen.

It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Sanskrit tarsayati "dries up;" Avestan tarshu- "dry, solid;" Greek teresesthai "to become or be dry," tersainein "to make dry;" Latin torrere "dry up, parch," terra "earth, land;" Gothic þaursus "dry, barren," Old High German thurri, German dürr, Old English þyrre "dry;" Old English þurstig "thirsty."