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The Latin word tenere means "to hold", "to direct", "to stretch". This simple word is the grandfather of many English words. In some cases, the paternity is obscure, and noticing and explaining it can be a minor joy.

We have the obvious:

• tenable, something which may be held, figuratively or literally;
• tenacious, meaning persistent, or holding on.
• tenant, one who holds...a deed, a lease, a position. Also tenancy.
• tend, to incline, to move towards something.
• tendency, an inclination or leaning, from the idea of tension or pulling or stretching.
• tender, an offer that is held out.
• tendon, a ligament that holds bones together.
• tendril, a grasping extension of a plant.
• tenement, a dwelling which is held...by a tenant.
• tenet, a belief or principle that one holds;
• tenon, a projection inserted to hold a joint;
• tense, under stress, tight. Also tension.
• tensor, a mathematical quantity that can represent a force;
• tent, a temporary shelter made by stretching a cloth.
• tenterhook, a hook used to stretch or hold something;
• tenuous, drawn out, relatively thin.
• tenure, the holding of an office or position.

We have the surprising:

• lieutenant, by way of French, with lieu meaning "place", gives a literal meaning of "place holder" or more loosely, "deputy".
• maintain, by way of French, with main meaning "hand", and indicating something that is kept, or protected in the hand, or carried on. Also maintenance.
• tetanus, a medical condition in which muscles are rigidly held.

Attend adds the prefix ad- to achieve the meaning of "directing towards":

• attend, to focus on. Also, attention.
• attenuate, to thin out, to draw out, to weaken.

Contain adds the prefix con- to achieve the meaning of "holding together". But from this idea, we have many words:

• content, that which is held together.
• content, the condition of being satisfied with what is held within; also discontent and malcontent.
• contend, contentious and contention, indicating strife.
• contain, to hold together.
• continent, to hold together, that is, not to wet the bed, or not to drink excessively, or not to fornicate. Also incontinent.
• continent, a "continuous" mass of land, also continental, subcontinent.
• continuous, joined together. Also discontinuous, continuously, continuity, continual.
• continuum, that which is joined together.

Detain adds the prefix de-:

• detain, also detainee, detention
• detent, a catch that holds against the motion of a wheel or other mechanical device;
• detente, the decrease of tension.

Distend adds the prefix dis- to achieve the meaning of "a bad holding", giving us:

• distend, to swell or bloat. Also distention.

Entertain adds the French prefix entre- meaning "among" to achieve the meaning of "holding among":

• entertain, to keep with one (an opinion; an idea; a guest); Also entertainment.

Extent adds the prefix ex- to achieve the meaning of "outward holding" and giving us words like

• extend, to hold hold. To stretch forth or across.
• extent, the degree to which something extends. The area or size.
• extensive, sizable.
• extenuate, to stretch out, to make thinner, to weaken.

Intent adds the prefix in- to achieve the meaning of "holding within" or "directing towards" and giving us words like

• intend, to plan, to focus, to stretch one's mind towards a subject;
• intendant, one who has charge of some business, and the more familiar superintendant, one who is above the intendants;
• intense, from "stretched" or "tight".
• intent, a plan or purpose.
• entente, a common understanding or agreement.

Obtain adds the prefix ob-, whose effect here is a bit obscure, to give us:

• obtain, to get possession of.
• ostentatious, to hold out in front of.

Pertain adds the prefix per- to achieve the meaning of "hold through" or to hold indirectly, or to belong to:

• pertain, to be associated with;
• pertinent, relevant to.
• impertinent, not showing the proper respect.

Portend adds the prefix pro- (modified to "por"), meaning "in advance" or "before":

• portend, to forewarn, also portent, portentious

Pretend adds the prefix pre-:

• pretend, to hold before; thus, to cover one's real purpose with another. Also pretense, pretentious.

Retain adds the prefix re-:

• retain, to keep, to hold back. Also retention, retainer.

Subtend adds the prefix sub-:

• subtend, to extend below.
• sustain, literally "to hold up from below", meaning to support. Also sustenance.