pendulum effect

American  

noun

1. Also called pendulum law.  Physics. a law, discovered by Galileo in 1602, that describes the regular, swinging motion of a pendulum by the action of gravity and acquired momentum.

2. the theory holding that trends in culture, politics, etc., tend to swing back and forth between opposite extremes.

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Etymology

Origin of pendulum effect

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

As history has taught us, presidencies are subject to the pendulum effect.

From Washington Post • Apr. 18, 2017

I’m basing my predictions on the pendulum effect.

From Washington Post • Apr. 18, 2017

This produces a little lateral stability without any marked pendulum effect.

From The Aeroplane Speaks Fifth Edition by Barber, H. (Horatio)

You use this device the same as the regular crystal ball but this time you incorporate the pendulum effect which naturally causes the quick tiring of the eyes.

From A Practical Guide to Self-Hypnosis by Powers, Melvin