pensile

[ pen-sahyl, -sil ]

adjective

1. hanging, as the nests of certain birds.
2. building a hanging nest.

pensile

/ pɛnˈsɪlɪtɪ; ˈpɛnsaɪl /

adjective

1. ornithol designating or building a hanging nest

   pensile birds

Derived Forms

• pensility, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pensile¹

1595–1605; < Latin pēnsilis hanging down, equivalent to pēns ( us ) past participle of pendēre to hang (equivalent to pend- verb stem + -tus past participle suffix, with dt > s ) + -ilis -ile

Word History and Origins

Origin of pensile¹

C17: from Latin pensilis hanging down, from pendēre to hang

Example Sentences

Their nests, which are semi-pensile, are often placed in giant yucca trees, or in vines that are suspended from cacti.

From Project Gutenberg

Their nests are semi-pensile and usually placed in mesquite trees not more than ten or fifteen feet from the ground.

From Project Gutenberg

That long black wasp, commonly called a Jack Spaniard, builds pensile paper nests under every roof and shed.

From Project Gutenberg

The Philippine and Pensile Grosbeak make also very curious nests.

From Project Gutenberg

Four or five weeping-willows, their stems leaning towards the grave, hang their pensile branches over it.

From Project Gutenberg