The Spanish word 'tendal' comes from the Latin verb 'tendere', meaning 'to stretch or extend'. It was formed by combining the Spanish verb 'tender' (also meaning 'to stretch or extend') with the noun-forming suffix '-al'. The resulting word 'tendal' refers to an awning or tarpaulin - essentially something that is stretched out to provide cover or protection.

Some simpler Spanish words that share this etymology include 'tender' (to stretch out, to hang out laundry), 'tendido' (stretched, laid out), and 'tendencia' (tendency). All these words carry the core meaning of extending or stretching in some way. While 'tender' is the literal act of stretching something out (like clothes on a line), 'tendal' specifically refers to the stretched-out covering itself.

Several common English words share the same Latin root 'tendere'. These include 'tend', 'tender', 'extend', 'intend', 'pretend', and 'tension'. All these words carry some aspect of the original meaning of stretching or extending. For example, 'extend' literally means to stretch outward, while 'tension' refers to the state of being stretched. The connection to 'tendal' is particularly clear with 'tent', which like 'tendal' is something stretched out to provide cover.