pendentive

noun

pen·​den·​tive pen-ˈden-tiv How to pronounce pendentive (audio)
: one of the concave triangular members that support a dome over a square space

Illustration of pendentive

Illustration of pendentive
  • P pendentive

Word History

Etymology

French pendentif, from Latin pendent-, pendens, present participle of pendēre

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pendentive was in 1728

Dictionary Entries Near pendentive

Cite this Entry

“Pendentive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pendentive. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on pendentive

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!