from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Pendant \Pend"ant\ (p[e^]nd"ant), n. [F., orig. p. pr. of pendre
to hang, L. pendere. Cf. {Pendent}, {Pansy}, {Pensive},
{Poise}, {Ponder}.]
1. Something which hangs or depends; something suspended; a
hanging appendage, especially one of an ornamental
character, as to a chandelier or an eardrop; also, an
appendix or addition, as to a book.
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Some hang upon the pendants of her ear. --Pope.
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Many . . . have been pleased with this work and its
pendant, the Tales and Popular Fictions.
--Keightley.
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2. Hence: An ornamental object or piece of jewelry with a
hook so that it can be hung from a chain around the neck.
[PJC]
3. (Arch.) A hanging ornament on roofs, ceilings, etc., much
used in the later styles of Gothic architecture, where it
is of stone, and an important part of the construction.
There are imitations in plaster and wood, which are mere
decorative features. "[A bridge] with . . . pendants
graven fair." --Spenser.
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4. (Fine Arts) One of a pair; a counterpart; as, one vase is
the pendant to the other vase.
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5. A pendulum. [Obs.] --Sir K. Digby.
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6. The stem and ring of a watch, by which it is suspended.
[U.S.] --Knight.
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{Pendant post} (Arch.), a part of the framing of an open
timber roof; a post set close against the wall, and
resting upon a corbel or other solid support, and
supporting the ends of a collar beam or any part of the
roof.
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