pendentive
[pen-den-tiv]
- 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.
- 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.
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- functioning as, or substituting for, a pendentive: pendentive corbeling.
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Origin of pendentive
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for pendentive
Historical Examples
Such a form of pendentive is rarely seen in works of this age.
Some Account of Gothic Architecture in SpainGeorge Edmund Street
Stalactite work is employed in the pendentive of the smaller apses and in the capitals of the columns carrying the pointed arches.
The pendentive under the dome is similar in its construction to those under the dome of the curious church of Ainay, at Lyons.
Some Account of Gothic Architecture in SpainGeorge Edmund Street
In these examples a pendentive is formed at each angle of the square, and thus the octagonal base is formed for the vault.
Some Account of Gothic Architecture in SpainGeorge Edmund Street
The angel figures of this pendentive are among the most beautiful and characteristic of the myriad throng of the cupola.
CorreggioEstelle M. Hurll
pendentive
- 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
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Word Origin
C18: from French pendentif, from Latin pendens hanging, from pendere to hang
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for pendentive
n.
1727, from French pendentif (mid-16c.), from Latin pendentem (nominative pendens) "hanging," present participle of pendere "to hang" (see pendent (adj.)).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper