pendentive

[ pen-den-tiv ]

nounArchitecture.
  1. any of several spandrels, in the form of spherical triangles, forming a transition between the circular plan of a dome and the polygonal plan of the supporting masonry.

  2. any of several masonry devices, as squinches or trompes, for forming a transition between a circular or polygonal construction, as a dome or lantern, and supporting masonry of a different plan.

adjective
  1. functioning as, or substituting for, a pendentive: pendentive corbeling.

Origin of pendentive

1
1720–30; pendent + -ive, modeled on French pendentif

Words Nearby pendentive

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How to use pendentive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pendentive

pendentive

/ (pɛnˈdɛntɪv) /


noun
  1. any of four triangular sections of vaulting with concave sides, positioned at a corner of a rectangular space to support a circular or polygonal dome

Origin of pendentive

1
C18: from French pendentif, from Latin pendens hanging, from pendere to hang

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