Foucault's pendulum /fŭkˈōz penˈdū-ləm/ (astronomy)

An instrument, consisting of a heavy metal ball suspended by a very long fine wire, devised by JBL Foucault in 1851 to demonstrate the rotation of the Earth

pendulum /penˈdū-ləm/

1. Theoretically, a heavy material point suspended by a weightless thread, free to swing without friction (simple pendulum)
2. Any weight so hung from a fixed point as to swing freely (compound pendulum)
3. The swinging weight which regulates the movement of a clock
4. Anything that swings, passes or is free to swing or be passed to and fro
5. Anything that undergoes obvious and regular shifts or reversals in direction, attitude, opinion, etc

penˈdular adjective

Relating to a pendulum

penˈdulate intransitive verb

To swing, vibrate

penˈduline adjective

Building a pendulous nest

pendulosˈity noun

penˈdulous adjective

1. Hanging loosely
2. Swinging freely
3. Drooping
4. Dangling
5. Overhanging
6. Suspended from the top
7. Floating in air or space

penˈdulously adverb

penˈdulousness noun

pendulum arbitration noun (business)

A process used to settle disputes, in which the arbitrator chooses one complete final offer, no adjustment of terms being allowed

compensation pendulum

A pendulum so constructed that its rod is not much altered in length by changes of temperature

Foucault's pendulum see separate entry.

• K-Y jelly
• kyle
• kyles
• kylie
• kylies
• kylin
• kylins
• kylix
• kylloses
• kyllosis
• kyloe
• kyloes
• kymogram
• kymograms
• kymograph
• kymographic
• kymographies
• kymographs
• kymography
• kynd
• kynde
• kynded
• kyndes
• kynds
• kyne