pendent

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   hanging or suspended from above; dangling downward

   A brass lamp hung pendent from the center beam.

2. 2
   adj

   projecting or overhanging without support directly beneath

   The builders reinforced the pendent section of the upper floor.

From Middle English and Anglo-Norman pendaunt or pendant, later respelled to reflect Latin pendens, pendentis, the present participle of pendere, 'to hang.' Modern usage tends to reserve pendent for the adjective 'hanging,' while pendant is chiefly the noun for a hanging ornament.

Topics