gridiron pendulum

noun

1. a clock pendulum having, as part of its shaft, an arrangement of brass and steel rods having different coefficients of expansion, such that the pendulum has the same length at any temperature.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gridiron pendulum¹

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

To the best clocks in England it was usual to apply the gridiron pendulum of Harrison or the mercurial pendulum of Graham.

From Project Gutenberg

John Harrison, the inventor of the famous gridiron pendulum, finally won the munificent prize.

From Project Gutenberg