n. slang term, used during the days oftransportation, for the Hobart Town Penitentiary, or Prisoners'Barracks – – a corruption of « 'tentiary,» which is for Penitentiary. It is now obsolete.
1859. Caroline Leakey, `The Broad Arrow,' vol. ii. p. 32:
«Prisoners' barracks, sir – – us calls it Tench.»