Surg. Also 4–7 tente, 6 teynte, 6–8 taint, 7 taynt. [a. F. tente (12th c. in Godef., Compl.), sb. f. tenter:—L. temptāre, tentāre; see TENT v.2: cf. It. tenta, Sp. tienta a probe.]
† 1. A probe. Also fig. Obs.
c. 1375. Cursor M., 26638 (Fairf.). A tent þe wers to hit will reche Quen hit rotis for defaute of leche.
1606. Shaks., Tr. & Cr., II. ii. 16. Modest Doubt is cal’d … the tent that searches To’ th’ bottome of the worst.
1693. trans. Blancard’s Phys. Dict. (ed. 2), s.v. Tenta, A Chyrurgeons Instrument, called Specillum, the vulgar call it Tenta, a Tent, from trying.
2. A roll or pledget, usually of soft absorbent material, often medicated, or sometimes of a medicinal substance, formerly much used to search and cleanse a wound, or to keep open or distend a wound, sore, or natural orifice.
c. 1400. Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 34. I heeld þe wounde open aldai wiþ a litil smal tent & a schort.
c. 1425. trans. Arderne’s Treat. Fistula, 34. I putte in tuo tentes or þre … in þe larger holes.
1547. Boorde, Brev. Health, Pref. 4. Let them be sure in serchynge of the depnes of woundes and fystules, and accordyng to the depnes to make the tentes.
1610. Markham, Masterp., II. cxiii. 407. Hauing cleansed the soare by tying a taint of flaxe or fine linnen cloth.
1639. T. de Gray, Compl. Horsem., 292. A linnen clowt rowled up in the fashion of a great taynt.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., Tent[s] in surgery … are of service [1.] to convey medicines to the most inner recesses … of the wound. 2. To prevent the Lips of the wound from uniting before it is healed at the bottom…. Tents whose office is to enlarge … the mouth of any wound, or ulcer … are usually called sponge-tents.
1867. Harris, Dict. Med. Terminol., Sponge Tent, a tent made of prepared sponge.
1872. T. G. Thomas, Dis. Women, 78. Preparation of sea-tangle tents.
fig. a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. V., 35 b. Now to finde a remedy for a mischief and a tent to stop a wounde, the Clergy … agreed to offre … a greate some of money.
1672. T. Jordan, Lond. Triumphant, 15. But yet our wounds have neither tent nor balm, We freeze in Fire, drown in a Calm.
† 3. transf. (from the shape or appearance.) Obs.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, VI. lvi. 730. After these tentes or catkens the leaues begin to showe.
† 4. A paste which sets hard, used in setting precious stones: see quot. 1656. Obs.
[This may be a different word.]
1594. Plat, Jewell-ho., III. 62. An excellent tent for a Diamond. Bvrne Iuorie in a crusible … into a blacke powder, then take a little … thereof, and mingle it with a few drops of … Oyle of Masticke, and in the setting of the stone you must haue care that it touch not the tent.
1647. R. Stapylton, Juvenal, Ep. Ded. Just as a pigmey should throw away a diamond bigger then himselfe, only because the tent it stood upon was black.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., s.v., Jewellers call that Tent which they put under Table Diamonds when they set them in work, and is made of mastick and turpentine.
Hence Tentwise adv.2, in the way of a surgical tent or plug.
1639. T. de Gray, Compl. Horsem., 272. A salve … which must be applyed eyther plaister-wise or taint-wise.
