Now rare. [ad. L. tenāculum holder: see below.]
† 1. pl. Forceps, pincers, nippers; cf. next, 1. Obs.
c. 1400. Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 303. Þou schalt take vp þe skyn wiþ tenaclis, and putt in þin hoot iren þoruȝ þe hole of þe tenaclis, & brenne þe skyn.
1597. A. M., trans. Guillemeau’s Fr. Chirurg., 15 b/2. Rounde pinsers or tenacles, to take away the trepanede percelle of bone.
2. That by which a plant, a fruit, etc., is upheld or supported: † a stalk, peduncle, or petiole (obs.); in pl. the organs by which some climbing plants attach themselves.
c. 1500. Bollard, trans. Godfredi on Pallad., 157. The furste [kind of cherry] hath shorte tenacles v. stalkys.
1658. Sir T. Browne, Gard. Cyrus, iv. Ivy, divided from the root, we have observed to live some years, by the cirrous parts commonly conceived but as tenacles and holdfasts unto it.
1856. Trench, Serm. Westm. Abb., xxvi. 305. We all know how the ivy … casts out innumerable little arms and tenacles by which it attaches and fastens itself.
† 3. ? A holster or the like in which to hold the staff of a standard or flag when borne. Obs.
1556. Chron. Gr. Fr. (Camd.), 50. A generalle processione from Powlles unto sent Peters in Cornehylle with alle the chelderne of Powlles scole, & a crosse of every parishe churche with a banner and one to ber it in a tenacle [MS. tenache].
