a type of universal joint in a shaft that enables it to rotate when out of alignment
Word origin
C20: named after Geronimo Cardan (1501–76), Italian mathematician
Cardan joint in American English
(ˈkɑːrdæn)
noun
Machinery
a universal joint consisting of a crosslike piece, opposite ends of which rotate within the forked end of each of the two shafts connected
Word origin
[1900–05; named after G. Cardano (1501–76), Italian mathematician, its inventor]This word is first recorded in the period 1900–05. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: burnout, cathode-ray tube, clone, geopolitics, throwaway