pendulum

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English

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Etymology

Borrowed from the neuter of Latin pendulus (“hanging”).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈpɛnd͡ʒələm/
  • US (some regions): IPA(key): /ˈpɪnd͡ʒələm/
  • Audio (US)(file)

Noun

pendulum (plural pendulums or pendula) (See usage notes.)

  1. (clocks, mechanics) A body suspended from a fixed support so that it swings freely back and forth under the influence of gravity, commonly used to regulate various devices such as clocks.
    1. (by extension) The tendency of a situation to oscillate (between two extremes).
      • 2021 October 20, Industry Insider, “The wheels turn slowly”, in RAIL, number 942, page 68:
        The pendulum can be seen to be swinging in favour of rail, as with each issue of RAIL comes news of further intermodal service expansion.
  2. A lamp, etc. suspended from a ceiling.
  3. A watch's guard-ring by which it is attached to a chain.

Usage notes

  • The plural form pendula is significantly rarer than pendulums; see etymology at pendula for details. However, pendula is occasionally used in physics.

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

body suspended from a fixed support

See also

References

Anagrams

Latin

Adjective

pendulum

  1. inflection of pendulus:
    1. nominative/accusative/vocative neuter singular
    2. accusative masculine singular

References

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia