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
C18: from French pendentif, from Latin pendens hanging, from pendere to hang
pendentive in American English
(pɛnˈdɛntɪv)
noun
Architecture
one of the triangular pieces of vaulting springing from the corners of a rectangular area, serving to support a rounded or polygonal dome: usually supported by a single pier
Word origin
Fr pendentif < L pendens, prp. of pendere, to hang: see pendant