pendentive

[ pen-den-tiv ]
/ pɛnˈdɛn tɪv /

noun Architecture.

any of several spandrels, in the form of spherical triangles, forming a transition between the circular plan of a dome and the polygonal plan of the supporting masonry.
any of several masonry devices, as squinches or trompes, for forming a transition between a circular or polygonal construction, as a dome or lantern, and supporting masonry of a different plan.

adjective

functioning as, or substituting for, a pendentive: pendentive corbeling.

Origin of pendentive

1720–30; pendent + -ive, modeled on French pendentif

Words nearby pendentive

pendant, pendelikon, pendency, pendent, pendente lite, pendentive, penderecki, pending, pendleton, pendolino, pendragon

Example sentences from the Web for pendentive

British Dictionary definitions for pendentive

pendentive
/ (pɛnˈdɛntɪv) /

noun

any of four triangular sections of vaulting with concave sides, positioned at a corner of a rectangular space to support a circular or polygonal dome

Word Origin for pendentive

C18: from French pendentif, from Latin pendens hanging, from pendere to hang