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

borrowed from French pendentif, going back to Middle French, from Latin pendent-, pendens, present participle of pendēre "to hang" + Middle French -if, noun derivative of -if -ive — more at pendent entry 1

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pendentive was in 1728

Rhymes for pendentive

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Browse Nearby Words

pendent
pendentive
pendently
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Cite this Entry

“Pendentive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pendentive. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pendentive

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pendentive

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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