tent

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a portable shelter usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs

   The tent was pitched near the creek.

2. 2
   noun

   A pavilion or portable lodge consisting of skins, canvas, or some strong cloth, stretched and sustained by poles, used for sheltering people from the weather.

   We were camping in a three-man tent.

3. 3
   noun

   A portable pulpit set up outside to accommodate worshippers who cannot fit into a church.

   A splendid tent was erected on the brae north of the town, and round that the countless congregation assembled.

4. 4
   noun

   A trouser tent; a piece of fabric, etc. protruding outward like a tent.

   […] feeling his erection making a tent in his pants.

5. 5
   verb

   To go camping.

   We’ll be tenting at the campground this weekend.

6. 6
   verb

   To form into a tent-like shape.

   The sheet tented over his midsection.

7. 7
   verb

   To attend to; to heed

   14th century, anonymous, The Romance of Syr Tryamoure He let hur have wemen at wylle, To tent hur, and that was skylle, And brought hur to bede

8. 8
   noun

   Attention; regard, care.

   Lo ! lo ! my frend , take tent to this womman

Etymology

From Middle English tente, borrowed from Old French tente, from Vulgar Latin *tenta (“tent”), from the feminine of Latin tentus, ptp. of tendere (“to stretch, extend”), or contracted from *tendita as an alternate past participle. Displaced native Middle English tild, tilt (“tent, tilt”), from Old English teld (“tent”). Compare Spanish tienda (“store, shop; tent”).