gimbals

gimbala gyroscope with two gimbals

gim·bal

G0127400 (gĭm′bəl, jĭm′-)n.1. A rigid frame or ring in which an object is supported by pivots. Two such rings mounted concentrically on axes at right angles to each other allow an object such as a ship's compass to remain suspended in a horizontal plane between them regardless of any motion of its support.2. often gimbals A device consisting of gimbals.tr.v. gim·baled, gim·bal·ing, gim·bals or gim·balled or gim·bal·ling To supply with or support on gimbals.

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[Alteration of obsolete gemel, double ring; see gimmal.]

gimbals

(ˈdʒɪmbəlz; ˈɡɪm-) pl n (Mechanical Engineering) a device, consisting of two or three pivoted rings at right angles to each other, that provides free suspension in all planes for an object such as a gyroscope, compass, chronometer, etc. Also called: gimbal ring [C16: variant of earlier gimmal finger ring, from Old French gemel, from Latin gemellus, diminutive of geminus twin]

gim•bals

(ˈdʒɪm bəlz, ˈgɪm-)

n. (used with a sing. v.) Sometimes, gimbal. a contrivance, consisting of a base on an axis, that permits an object, as a ship's compass, mounted on it to tilt freely in any direction. Also called gim′bal ring`. [1570–80; alter. of gimmal]