pendulous

[ pen-juh-luhs, pen-duh- ]

adjective

1. hanging down loosely:

   pendulous blossoms.

   Synonyms: pendent

2. swinging freely; oscillating.
3. vacillating or undecided; wavering.

pendulous

/ ˈpɛndjʊləs /

adjective

1. hanging downwards, esp so as to swing from side to side

Derived Forms

• ˈpendulously, adverb
• ˈpendulousness, noun

Other Words From

• pendu·lous·ly adverb
• pendu·lous·ness noun
• semi·pendu·lous adjective
• semi·pendu·lous·ly adverb
• semi·pendu·lous·ness noun
• un·pendu·lous adjective
• un·pendu·lous·ly adverb
• un·pendu·lous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pendulous¹

First recorded in 1595–1605, pendulous is from the Latin word pendulus hanging, swinging. See pend, -ulous

Word History and Origins

Origin of pendulous¹

C17: from Latin pendulus, from pendēre to hang down

Example Sentences

The tail is white, short and pendulous, but does not descend lower than the thighs.

From Project Gutenberg

The bird unfolded its wings, and arose in flight; then slowly circled round the pendulous globe.

From Project Gutenberg

Below a flattened, shapeless wedge of nose, his thick pendulous lips worked in and out in worried and laborious thought.

From Project Gutenberg

In despairing rapture I clutched after a neck ornament hung with pendulous pearls as large as plums.

From Project Gutenberg

He lost flesh everywhere except around the waist, so that his belly, hitherto inconspicuous, looked almost pendulous.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• dangling
• hanging
• pendent