Tenterhook

Tenterhooks or tenter hooks are hooked nails in a device called a tenter. Tenters were wooden frames which were used as far back as the 14th century in the process of making woollen cloth. They are now superseded by stenter pins.

For the album by musician Chris Mars, see Tenterhooks (album).
"Tenter" redirects here. For the specialised oven also known as a Tenter, see Stenter.

The phrase "on tenterhooks" has become a metaphor for nervous anticipation.

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