pendulumn.
/ˈpɛndjᵿləm/, /ˈpɛndʒᵿləm/, U.S. /ˈpɛndʒəl(ə)m/, /ˈpɛndjəl(ə)m/ I. Senses relating to mechanisms.† 2. A pendulum clock or watch. Obsolete.
1.
a. A rod, cord, wire, etc., with a weight or bob at or near one end, suspended from a fixed point so as to swing or oscillate freely under the influence of gravity; esp. a weighted rod used to regulate and control the movement of the works of a clock by the regularity of its motion.compensation, compound, conical, cycloidal, Foucault, gridiron, second pendulum, etc.: see the first element.
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the world > time > instruments for measuring time > clock > [noun] > pendulum clock > pendulum
pendule1660
pendulum1660
simple pendulum1673
bob-pendulum1685
swing1696
quicksilver pendulum1726
pendle1741
gridiron pendulum1751
mercurial pendulum1786
gridiron1793
wanrest1794
seconds pendulum1795
conical pendulum1813
ticker1821
noddy1844
the world > space > relative position > support > hanging or suspension > [noun] > that which hangs or is suspended > a pendulum
pendant1644
balance1647
pendulum1660
swag1686
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > oscillation > [noun] > swinging or oscillation of suspended body > that which > pendulum
pendant1644
balance1647
pendulum1660
swag1686
1660 R. Boyle New Exper. Physico-mechanicall xxvi. 202 We thought it not amiss to try if a Pendulum would swing faster, or continue swinging longer in our Receiver.
1660 R. Boyle New Exper. Physico-mechanicall xxxvii. 316 We conveyd into our Receiver..the Pendula formerly mention'd.
1685 R. Boyle Ess. Effects of Motion vi. 69 The great swing that may be given to Pendulums by a very languid force, if it successively strike the swinging body.
1760 S. Fielding Ophelia II. xxxi. 1 She was as regular as a Pendulum.
1844 J. F. W. Herschel Ess. (1857) 583 Two pendula, a copper and an iron one,..were furnished by the Society.
1879 Encycl. Brit. X. 31/1 The experimental verification of this fact led him [sc. Galileo] to the important discovery of the isochronism of the pendulum.
1945 C. E. Balleisen Princ. Firearms xi. 115 Benjamin Robins..fired cannon shot into a heavy pendulum in order to measure the velocity of the shot.
1992 L. Appignanesi Memory & Desire (1992) (BNC) 315 On the curve of one wall stood a beautiful old grandfather clock, its pendulum swinging rhythmically.
b. inverted pendulum n. a pendulum fixed at the base and with its upper end free; spec. a vertical rod having a heavy weight at its upper end and resting on a bearing at the other, held in position by springs which allow it to oscillate in a vertical plane. Also figurative.
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the world > space > relative position > support > hanging or suspension > [noun] > that which hangs or is suspended > a pendulum > types of
compound pendulum1723
simple pendulum1728
inverted pendulum1773
horizontal pendulum1775
conical pendulum1813
spherical pendulum1862
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > oscillation > [noun] > swinging or oscillation of suspended body > that which > pendulum > types of
compound pendulum1723
simple pendulum1728
inverted pendulum1773
horizontal pendulum1775
conical pendulum1813
spherical pendulum1862
1773 T. Hatton Introd. Clock & Watch Work ii. 306 When this illustration of the inverted pendulum is compared with the machine invented by Mr. Cumming.., we shall find it to be nearly the same of his in his book.
1832 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 122 404 The application of Mr. Hardy's inverted pendulum does not detect the least motion.
1894 Cent. Mag. Mar. 756/2 One of the small coral atolls of the South Pacific, surrounded as it is by very deep water, and exposed to the incessant beating of a tremendous surf always coming from one direction, must be looked upon as a huge inverted pendulum a mile or more long, continually in vibration.
1937 D. Kennedy tr. A. Imamura Theoret. & Appl. Seismol. xi. 254 The heavy bob is an inverted pendulum. Its lower point, the end of the supporting rod, rests in a socket, but as it is unstable in this condition, an arm..extends laterally from the upper end of the pendulum, and connects with a steel spring.
1989 N. Cave And Ass saw Angel iii. 244 Bulrushes knocked at his knees and he left them rocking in his wake, inverted pendulums anchored in their reeky, paludal bottoms.
c. horizontal pendulum n. an approximately horizontal rod having a heavy weight at one end and pivoted at the other so that it can swing freely in an approximately horizontal plane, and usually supported by a thread or wire passing from the weighted end to a fixed point above the pivot.
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the world > space > relative position > support > hanging or suspension > [noun] > that which hangs or is suspended > a pendulum > types of
compound pendulum1723
simple pendulum1728
inverted pendulum1773
horizontal pendulum1775
conical pendulum1813
spherical pendulum1862
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > oscillation > [noun] > swinging or oscillation of suspended body > that which > pendulum > types of
compound pendulum1723
simple pendulum1728
inverted pendulum1773
horizontal pendulum1775
conical pendulum1813
spherical pendulum1862
1750 M. Clancy Memoirs II. 42 A Clock, whose Pendulum was Horizontal, contrary to the Direction of all others.]
1775–6 W. Kenrick et al. tr. Comte de Buffon Nat. Hist. Animals, Veg., & Minerals IV. vi. 243 On the side of these inflamed parts, small globules came out, which had a distinct oscillatory motion, like that of a horizontal pendulum.
1790 W. Blakey Misc. Wks. ii. v. 158 The effects of cold and heat on instruments,..were not perceived before Sully made his experiments for the longitude with his horizontal pendulum at sea, by Bourdeaux, about the year 1720.
1850–2 D. Lardner Pop. Lect. Sci. & Art (ed. 12) I. 489 By observing the rate of vibration of this horizontal pendulum, and comparing it with the rate of vibration of the ordinary pendulum subject to the earth's attraction, Cavendish was enabled to obtain the numerical proportion which the earth's attraction bore to the attraction of the metallic globe which he used in his experiments.
1908 C. G. Knott Physics Earthquake Phenomena iv. 61 The nearer the point of attachment to a truly vertical position above the pivot the more delicate and the less stable will the horizontal pendulum be, and the better fitted for recording small motions.
1972 R. B. Gordon Physics of Earth vi. 124 An instrument suitable for recording horizontal ground motion is the horizontal pendulum.
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the world > time > instruments for measuring time > clock > [noun] > pendulum clock
pendulum clock1663
pendule clock1664
pendulum1664
pendulum-piece1734
wag-at-the-wall1825
longcase clock1851
grandfather clock1883
trunk dial1884
grandfather1894
grandmother clock1898
longcase1899
granddaughter clock1926
grandmother1931
granddaughter1968
1664–5 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 1 14 The same Objection..against the exactness of these Pendulums, hath also been made here.
1696 W. Derham Artific. Clock-maker iii. 62 For the use of such, as would convert old Ballance Clocks into Pendulums.
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Royal Pendulums, are those Clocks whose Pendulum swings Seconds, and goes eight Days, shewing the Hour, Minutes and Seconds.
1707 Boston News-let. 13 Oct. 2/2 (advt.) If any person or persons hath any occasion for New Clocks, or to have Old Ones turn'd into Pendelums..: Let them repair to the Sign of the Clock Dial.
II. Extended uses.
3. † b. to play pendulum: to swing or oscillate like a pendulum (literal and figurative). Obsolete. rare.
a. figurative. A person who or thing which oscillates between different or opposite positions, as public opinion, personal feeling, a fashion, etc.; an imagined register or measure of such oscillation.
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the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > state of uncertainty, suspense > [noun] > uncertainty about alternatives
balancing1597
pendulousness1641
pendulum1765
teeter1855
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > [noun] > irresolute or vacillating person
demurrer1533
hanger1536
staggerer1552
hobbler1575
tennis ball1589
waverer1597
halter1608
suspender1625
waver1667
fluttererc1726
oscillator1798
pendulum1818
shilly-shallyer1832
shilly-shally1834
wobbler1837
hesitater1853
dilly-dallier1880
vacillator1890
haverer1947
1765 J. Otis Vindic. Brit. Colonies 20 To atone for this indelicacy, the next moment the pendulum vibrates as far the other way.
1769 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) I. xii. 83 Is this the wisdom of a great minister? or is it the..vibration of a pendulum?
1818 Ld. Byron Childe Harold: Canto IV cix. 57 Man! Thou pendulum betwixt a smile and tear.
1836 Penny Cycl. V. 300/1 The pendulum of opinion swings to the side opposite to that on which it has been unduly brought out of its position of equilibrium.
1877 H. James American ii. 33 I dare say that a twelvemonth hence the operation will be reversed. The pendulum will swing back again.
1900 Westm. Gaz. 8 Nov. 4/2 The moral of the Canada elections is that there is no swing left in the Pendulum anywhere.
1996 Grocer 23 Mar. 13/1 Just as western brands are waking up to the huge opportunities in Russia, the pendulum of consumer opinion may be swinging against them.
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the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > oscillation > oscillate [verb (intransitive)] > swing
totterc1200
swing1545
vibrate1667
pendulate1698
swingle1755
pendulum1885
to play pendulum1893
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > state of uncertainty, suspense > be in suspense [verb (intransitive)] > hesitate between alternatives
halt1382
dilemma1687
bedrift1837
pendulate1837
vacillate1841
to be in (also of, occasionally on) two minds (also in twenty minds, in (also of) several minds, etc.)1853
to be torn between1871
to play pendulum1893
1893 E. Saltus Madam Sapphira 171 Beyond asking him to play pendulum I see nothing.
1897 M. Kingsley Trav. W. Afr. iv. 77 Great rollers..make the vessels lying broad~side on to them play pendulum to an extent that precludes the discharging or taking on of heavy cargo.
4. Mountaineering. A move used by a climber on a rope to reach a new position, by swinging like a pendulum in order to impart sufficient momentum to the body.
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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > mountaineering or climbing > [noun] > actions
glissading1832
rock climb1861
glissade1862
traversea1877
step cutting1884
hand traverse1897
conquest1902
bouldering1920
lay-back1925
soloing1929
hand-jamming1937
safing1937
rappelling1938
leading through1945
pendulum1945
free-climbing1946
laybacking1955
pendule1957
finger jam1959
jumar1966
jam1967
prusiking1968
jumaring1971
free solo1977
redpoint1986
mantel1987
crimping1990
1945 G. W. Young Mountain Craft (ed. 4) v. 179 The second [artificial aid] is the pendulum. Like most modern technical devices, it is a perfecting of an old alpine fashion.
1949 A. Roch Climbs of my Youth xiv. 115 The pendulum was definitely unpleasant, and a few stones fell loose.
1971 C. Bonington Annapurna South Face x. 120 He therefore had to climb without any protection from pitons, though if he had fallen off he would have had a punishing pendulum back into the gully.
Compounds
C1. General attributive, in the sense ‘of, relating to, or suggestive of a pendulum’, as pendulum apparatus, pendulum fashion, pendulum movement, pendulum rod, pendulum rule, etc.
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the world > time > instruments for measuring time > clock > [noun] > pendulum clock > pendulum > associated parts
pendulum rod1753
pendulum spring1884
the world > space > relative position > support > hanging or suspension > [noun] > that which hangs or is suspended > a pendulum > parts of
bob1753
pendulum rod1753
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > oscillation > [noun] > swinging or oscillation of suspended body > that which > pendulum > weight at end of > rod on which weight is suspended
pendulum rod1753
1753 Philos. Trans. 1751–2 (Royal Soc.) 47 480 Holes drilled in the broad part of the pendulum-rod.
1820 Sporting Mag. 7 108 The pendulum shake [of the hand] may be mentioned next.
1822 T. Webster Imison's Elem. Sci. & Art (new ed.) I. 82 A pendulum-rod is longer in warm than in cold weather.
1856 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 146 304 Plate XI. contains views of the pendulum-apparatus nearly in the state in which it was used in the upper station.
1865 Englishman's Mag. Jan. 13 The popular mind in England has..swayed from side to side in a somewhat pendulum-fashion.
1909 Westm. Gaz. 1 May 12/3 Herr Reibisch..gave a new form to this fact in calling the movement of the Poles ‘pendulum movements’.
1928 M. Connolly Mr. Blue vi. 122 No. I don't think your queer pendulum rule applies to intelligent happiness.
1962 E. Bruton Dict. Clocks & Watches 95 Invar pendulum rods solve temperature compensation problems.
1971 Dict. National Biogr. 1951–60 at Lenox-Conyngham, Sir Gerald Ponsonby He constructed a pendulum apparatus as an improvement on the one used in India.
1991 Struct. Change & Econ. Dynamics 2 189 One can see that in the wake of the assumed increase in production the circular flow system does not undergo a regular change, but behaves in a pendulum fashion.
C2. † pendulum cock n. Obsolete rare an overhanging bracket in a clock supporting the pendulum (cf. cock n.1 19).† pendulum level n. Obsolete a level in which the horizontal line is determined by perpendicularity to a plumb line.† pendulum-piece n. Obsolete a timepiece controlled by a pendulum; a pendulum-clock.† pendulum press n. Obsolete rare a punch press in which the punch is operated by a swinging treadle.† pendulum-spindle n. Obsolete rare a spindle having an attached pendulum which revolves with it.† pendulum wheat n. Obsolete a kind of wheat having pendulous ears; cf. pendule wheat n. at pendule n. Compounds.† pendulum wheel n. Obsolete rare (a) the escape wheel of a clock; (b) the balance wheel of a watch.
pendulum arbitration n. originally and chiefly British (esp. in industrial relations) a system of arbitration in which the arbitrator must decide between one of two solutions (each presented by one of the parties in dispute) rather than attempt to devise a compromise.
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1983 Listener 30 June 4/1 A new way of settling disputes, known as pendulum arbitration, with the arbitrator resisting the usual fudge and deciding instead for one side or the other.
1997 Jrnl. Econ. Perspectives 11 130 Final offer arbitration, also known as pendulum arbitration or the baseball rule, is a dispute resolution mechanism that limits the parties' posturing incentives.
pendulum-balance n. now historical the balance wheel of a watch, which oscillates like a pendulum.
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the world > time > instruments for measuring time > watch > [noun] > parts of
barrel1591
motion1605
bezel1616
fusee1622
string1638
crown wheel1646
out-case1651
watch-box1656
nuck1664
watchwork1667
balance-wheel1669
box1675
dial wheel1675
counter-potence1678
pendulum-balance1680
watch-case1681
pillar1684
contrate teeth1696
pinion of report1696
watch-hook1698
bob-balance1701
half-cock1701
potence1704
verge1704
pad1705
movable1709
jewel1711
pendant1721
crystal1722
watch-key1723
pendulum spring1728
lock spring1741
watch-glass1742
watch-spring1761
all-or-nothing piece1764
watch hand1764
cylinder1765
cannon?1780
cannon1802
stackfreed1819
pillar plate1821
little hand1829
hair-spring1830
lunette1832
all-or-nothing1843
locking1851
slag1857
staff1860
case spring1866
stem1866
balance-cock1874
watch-dial1875
balance-spring1881
balance-staff1881
Breguet spring1881
overcoil1881
surprise-piece1881
brass edge1884
button turn1884
fourth wheel1884
fusee-sink1884
pair-case1884
silver bar1884
silver piece1884
slang1884
top plate1884
karrusel1893
watch-face1893
watch bracelet1896
bar-movement1903
jewel pivot1907
jewel bearing1954
1680 London Gaz. No. 1538/4 Lost.., a Silver Watch..with the Hours and Minutes, a Pendulum Ballance, without String or Chain.
1849 Sci. Amer. 17 Nov. 70/3 What I claim therein as new, is the combination of a pendulum balance,..with the adjustable counter-balanced platform for weighing, interposing the chain and cam in the manner set forth.
1935 Discovery Jan. 9/1 (caption) Leonardo's [sc. Leonardo da Vinci's] pendulum-balances. Models constructed from his sketches by Avery's Research Department.
pendulum ball n. = pendulum bob n.
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1848 S. J. B. Hale Three Hours 15 She raised her eyes to the old brass clock,..And to and fro swung its pendulum ball.
2002 Associated Press Newswire (Nexis) 17 Nov. Cole painstakingly restored the Edward Howard & Co. clock to working order, repairing the striking race,..remaking the 8-foot long pendulum and reattaching the original pendulum ball.
pendulum bob n. the heavy weight forming the lower end of a pendulum.
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1850 W. H. C. Bartlett Elem. Nat. Philos. i. i. xiii. 252 The pendulum bob being made heavy, the centre of gravity may be brought so near one of the axes,..as to place the latter within the gyratory circumference.
1988 D. J. Tritton Physical Fluid Dynamics (BNC) (ed. 2) 400 There is a range of driving frequencies..in which the pendulum bob orbits within the spherical surface, rather than just oscillating on an arc of the surface.
pendulum clock n. a clock controlled by a pendulum.
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the world > time > instruments for measuring time > clock > [noun] > pendulum clock
pendulum clock1663
pendule clock1664
pendulum1664
pendulum-piece1734
wag-at-the-wall1825
longcase clock1851
grandfather clock1883
trunk dial1884
grandfather1894
grandmother clock1898
longcase1899
granddaughter clock1926
grandmother1931
granddaughter1968
1663 Minute 21 Oct. in T. Birch Hist. Royal Soc. (1756) I. 320 The two pendulum-clocks sent..into the Streights.
1763 Philos. Trans. 1762 (Royal Soc.) 52 582 The above observations were minuted from a stop-watch of Mr. Ellicott's, having no pendulum-clock or time-piece.
1898 P. Manson Trop. Dis. xiv. 226 The sounds of the heart are, like the beats of a well-hung pendulum-clock, evenly spaced.
1992 S. P. Maran Astron. & Astrophysics Encycl. 930/1 Common, French, or small clock hours,..were adopted as the standard system of counting the hours after the introduction of the pendulum clock.
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the world > time > instruments for measuring time > clock > [noun] > part(s) of
nut1428
peise1428
plumbc1450
Jack1498
clockwork1516
larum1542
Jack of the clockhouse1563
watch-wheel1568
work1570
plummeta1578
Jack of the clock1581
snail-cam1591
snail-work1591
pointer1596
quarter jack1604
mainspring1605
winder1606
notch-wheel1611
fusee1622
count-wheel1647
jack-wheel1647
frame1658
arbor1659
balance1660
fuse1674
hour-figure1675
stop1675
pallet1676
regulator1676
cock1678
movement1678
detent1688
savage1690
clock1696
pinwheel1696
starred wheel1696
swing-wheel1696
warning-wheel1696
watch1696
watch-part1696
hoop-wheel1704
hour-wheel1704
snail1714
step-wheel1714
tide-work1739
train1751
crutch1753
cannon pinion1764
rising board1769
remontoire1774
escapement1779
clock jack1784
locking plate1786
scapement1789
motion work1795
anchor escapement1798
scape1798
star-wheel1798
recoil escapement1800
recoiling pallet1801
recoiling scapement1801
cannon1802
hammer-tail1805
recoiling escapement1805
bottle jack1810
renovating spring1812
quarter-boy1815
pin tooth1817
solar wheel1819
impulse-teeth1825
pendulum wheel1825
pallet arbor1826
rewinder1826
rack hook1829
snail-wheel1831
quarter bell1832
tow1834
star pulley1836
watch train1838
clock train1843
raising-piece1843
wheelwork1843
gravity escapement1850
jumper1850
vertical escapement1850
time train1853
pin pallet1860
spade1862
dead well1867
stop-work1869
ringer1873
strike-or-silent1875
warning-piece1875
guard-pin1879
pendulum cock1881
warning-lever1881
beat-pin1883
fusee-piece1884
fusee-snail1884
shutter1884
tourbillion1884
tumbler1884
virgule1884
foliot1899
grasshopper1899
grasshopper escapement1899
trunk1899
pin lever1908
clock spring1933
1881 F. J. Britten Watch & Clockmakers' Handbk. (ed. 4) 82 Clockmakers always seem afraid to put enough metal in their pendulum cocks and brackets.
pendulum governor n. Mechanics a governor which is actuated or regulated by means of a pendulum; spec. one having two equal pendulums attached to and revolving with a spindle driven by the engine or machine to be controlled, and operating by centrifugal force to lift a weighted sleeve and so gradually close a valve.
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1849 Sci. Amer. 14 July 340/1 Mr. James W. Chapman, an old inventor in Washington, Davis County, Ia. has made a new improvement in the Governor for engines, which may be denominated the ‘pendulum governor’ and which has been highly recommended as a valuable invention.
1872 S. E. Warren Elem. Machine Constr. & Drawing 313 In the ordinary pendulum governor, the balls move in the arc of a circle, and rise as they extend.
1924 Sci. Monthly Jan. 96 The speed was controlled by a conical pendulum governor, which could be shortened or lengthened at will.
1971 Notes & Rec. Royal Soc. 26 216 This electric pendulum inspired Thomson to design a chronometer of his own, regulated by a peculiar pendulum governor, in which the driving force of the clockwork was to be controlled by the difference between the reference speed of the pendulum and the actual speed of the drive.
pendulum hausse n. U.S. (now historical) a kind of hausse or sight for a cannon which remains vertical when the wheels of the carriage are not on a level.
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society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > device for discharging missiles > firearm > parts and fittings of firearms > [noun] > sight > types of
dispart1578
telescopic sight1674
plain sight1686
aim-frontlet1745
hausse1787
foresight1806
gloaming sight1817
night-sight1822
bead1831
leaf1832
backsight1847
globe sight1847
pendulum hausse1850
hindsight1851
tangent scale1859
tangent1861
tangent backsight1862
training pendulum1862
training level1863
peep sight1866
dispart-sight1867
notch sight1867
buck-horn1877
orthoptic1881
aperturea1884
pinball-sighta1884
dispart patch1884
sight bar1884
flap-sight1887
barley-corn1896
ring sight1901
riflescope1902
spotting scope1904
tangent sight1908
Aldis sight1918
wind-sight1923
scope sight1934
gyro-sight1942
1850 Ordnance Man. for Use of Officers (U.S. Army Ordnance Dept.) (ed. 2) (U. S. Army) 118/1 Pendulum hausse and case.
1887 Rep. Chief Ordnance U.S. 8 Pendulum Hausses: 3 inch gun.
1993 G. W. Gallagher & H. W. Pfanz Gettysburg–Culp's Hill & Cemetery Hill 437 A pendulum hausse was a detachable rear sight with an elevation scale.
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society > occupation and work > equipment > equipment for marking out work > [noun] > level
level1340
water level1563
leveller1693
spirit level1718
pendulum level1728
bubble level1814
Y level1845
striding level1878
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Level Plumb, or Pendulum Level: That which shews the Horizontal Line by means of another Line perpendicular to that described by its Plummet, or Pendulum.
1874 W. M. Gillespie Man. Princ. & Pract. Road-making 94 A modification of the plumb-line level, which has the advantage of being self-adjusting, is called the ‘Pendulum level.’
pendulum observation n. an observation made using a pendulum.
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1826 G. B. Airy in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 116 573 It is impossible to establish any agreement with the pendulum observations of Captain Sabine.
1909 Westm. Gaz. 14 Sept. 4/1 Complete series of meteorological, magnetic, seismological, tidal, and pendulum observations were taken under great difficulties.
2000 Daily Tel. (Sydney) (Nexis) 14 Nov. (Features section) 43 He [sc. Halley] had recorded the celestial longitudes and latitudes of 341 stars,..made many pendulum observations and noticed that some stars seemed fainter since being observed in ancient times.
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the world > time > instruments for measuring time > clock > [noun] > pendulum clock
pendulum clock1663
pendule clock1664
pendulum1664
pendulum-piece1734
wag-at-the-wall1825
longcase clock1851
grandfather clock1883
trunk dial1884
grandfather1894
grandmother clock1898
longcase1899
granddaughter clock1926
grandmother1931
granddaughter1968
1734 tr. P. L. M. de Maupertuis Diss. Cœlestial Bodies 2 in J. Keill Exam. Burnet's Theory of Earth (ed. 2) In the year 1672, Mr. Richer going to Cayenne..observed that the Pendulum-piece he had carried with him, retarded considerably in respect of the Sun's mean Motion.
pendulum position n. Billiards (now historical and rare) a position of the two object balls beside the cushions on either side of a corner pocket which makes a series of anchor cannons possible (cf. anchor n.1 6).
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society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > billiards, pool, or snooker > [noun] > positions of balls
frame1868
nursery1869
plant1884
leave1885
set-up1889
snooker1924
pendulum position1927
1927 Daily Express 26 Apr. 9/4 Reece..made a record break of 1,151, including 568 cannons by what is known as the ‘pendulum position’.
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a1884 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Suppl. 667/2 Pendulum press, a form of press for sheet-metal work, in which the swinging treadle actuates the punch.
pendulum pump n. (a) a pump operated by a handle, treadle, etc., having a pendulum-like action; (b) a small pump incorporating flywheels which oscillate slightly in a vertical plane while spinning (rare).
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1799 A. Walker Syst. Familiar Philos. vi. 309 I also spent some time and money in contriving and constructing a pendulum pump, to be actuated by the motion of the ship; but they all required more room than could be spared for them.
a1877 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. II. 1663/1 Pendulum pump, a pump in which a pendulum is employed to govern the reciprocating motion of the piston.
a1884 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Suppl. 667/2 Pendulum pump. 1. A direct acting donkey pump in which the fly-wheels have an oscillatory motion in a vertical plane... 2. A pump the handle of which swings each side of its center [sic] of suspension.
1946 L. Toft & A. T. J. Kersey Theory of Machines (ed. 5) iv. 95 The pendulum pump is the simple engine mechanism with the crank longer than the connecting rod.
pendulum saw n. a machine saw that cuts stationary wood as it swings across it like a pendulum.
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society > occupation and work > equipment > cutting tool > saw > [noun] > power saws > other power saws
belt saw1819
chainsaw1846
butter1850
bandsaw1864
resaw1876
sabre saw1953
pendulum saw1958
1958 N.Z. Timber Jrnl. Jan. 46/1 Pendulum saw, a machine cross-cut saw that is drawn across the stationary wood in the process of cutting by swinging from the point of suspension like a pendulum.
2002 Steel Times Internat. (Nexis) 1 Oct. 37 Sampling and tail-end cropping are performed with a pendulum saw at the cooling bed entry.
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1895 I. K. Funk et al. Standard Dict. Eng. Lang. II. (at cited word) Pendulum-spindle, a rotating shaft imparting motion to a revolving pendulum attached thereto.
pendulum spring n. †(a) the coiled hairspring connected to the balance wheel of a watch (obsolete); (b) the spring from which the pendulum of a clock is suspended.
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the world > time > instruments for measuring time > watch > [noun] > particular types of watch
German watch1611
larum watch1619
clock-watch1625
minute watch1660
pendulum watch1664
watch1666
alarm watch1669
finger watch1679
string-watch1686
scout1688
balance-watch1690
hour-watch1697
warming-pan1699
minute pendulum watch1705
jewel watch1711
suit1718
repeater1725
Tompion1727
pendulum spring1728
second-watch1755
Geneva watch1756
cylinder-watch1765
watch-paper1777
ring watch1788
verge watch1792
watch lamp1823
hack1827
bull's-eye1833
vertical watch1838
quarter-repeater1840
turnip1840
hunting-watch1843
minute repeater1843
hunter1851
job watch1851
Geneva1852
watch-lining1856
touch watch1860
musical watch1864
lever1865
neep1866
verge1871
independent seconds watch1875
stem-winder1875
demi-hunter1884
fob-watch1884
three-quarter plate1884
wrist-watch1897
turnip-watch1898
sedan-chair watch1904
Rolex1922
Tank watch1923
strap watch1926
chatelaine watch1936
sedan clock1950
quartz watch1969
pulsar1970
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > watch > [noun] > parts of
barrel1591
motion1605
bezel1616
fusee1622
string1638
crown wheel1646
out-case1651
watch-box1656
nuck1664
watchwork1667
balance-wheel1669
box1675
dial wheel1675
counter-potence1678
pendulum-balance1680
watch-case1681
pillar1684
contrate teeth1696
pinion of report1696
watch-hook1698
bob-balance1701
half-cock1701
potence1704
verge1704
pad1705
movable1709
jewel1711
pendant1721
crystal1722
watch-key1723
pendulum spring1728
lock spring1741
watch-glass1742
watch-spring1761
all-or-nothing piece1764
watch hand1764
cylinder1765
cannon?1780
cannon1802
stackfreed1819
pillar plate1821
little hand1829
hair-spring1830
lunette1832
all-or-nothing1843
locking1851
slag1857
staff1860
case spring1866
stem1866
balance-cock1874
watch-dial1875
balance-spring1881
balance-staff1881
Breguet spring1881
overcoil1881
surprise-piece1881
brass edge1884
button turn1884
fourth wheel1884
fusee-sink1884
pair-case1884
silver bar1884
silver piece1884
slang1884
top plate1884
karrusel1893
watch-face1893
watch bracelet1896
bar-movement1903
jewel pivot1907
jewel bearing1954
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > clock > [noun] > pendulum clock > pendulum > associated parts
pendulum rod1753
pendulum spring1884
1728 Philos. Trans. 1727–8 (Royal Soc.) 35 304 A very irregular Motion..like the Pendulum-Spring of a Watch.
1884 F. J. Britten Watch & Clockmakers' Handbk. (new ed.) 192 In small clocks the pendulum spring is often too stout.
1999 Kennebec Jrnl. (Augusta, Maine) 13 Mar. b1 The clock's pendulum is missing, a pendulum spring has broken off, and several pieces are missing.
pendulum swing n. a swinging movement like that of a pendulum; also figurative.
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the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > oscillation > [noun] > swinging or oscillation of suspended body > a single movement of
vibration1667
swing-swanga1703
pendulum swing1876
1876 G. Meredith Beauchamp's Career II. viii. 143 You start, in fear of Toryism, on an errand of Radicalism, and in fear of Radicalism to Toryism you draw back. There is your pendulum-swing!
1926 Amer. Speech 1 632/2 Pendulum swing, applied to a type of putting stroke.
1968 J. Winearls Mod. Dance (ed. 2) ii. 57 The principle of the outside fall and pick up of a Pendulum Swing can be used in isolated leg and trunk movements.
1989 I. Stewart Does God play Dice? 1 The ‘pendulum swing’ of cultural changes does not simply repeat the same events over and over again.
pendulum watch n. now historical a watch having a balance wheel (which oscillates like the pendulum of a clock).
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the world > time > instruments for measuring time > watch > [noun] > particular types of watch
German watch1611
larum watch1619
clock-watch1625
minute watch1660
pendulum watch1664
watch1666
alarm watch1669
finger watch1679
string-watch1686
scout1688
balance-watch1690
hour-watch1697
warming-pan1699
minute pendulum watch1705
jewel watch1711
suit1718
repeater1725
Tompion1727
pendulum spring1728
second-watch1755
Geneva watch1756
cylinder-watch1765
watch-paper1777
ring watch1788
verge watch1792
watch lamp1823
hack1827
bull's-eye1833
vertical watch1838
quarter-repeater1840
turnip1840
hunting-watch1843
minute repeater1843
hunter1851
job watch1851
Geneva1852
watch-lining1856
touch watch1860
musical watch1864
lever1865
neep1866
verge1871
independent seconds watch1875
stem-winder1875
demi-hunter1884
fob-watch1884
three-quarter plate1884
wrist-watch1897
turnip-watch1898
sedan-chair watch1904
Rolex1922
Tank watch1923
strap watch1926
chatelaine watch1936
sedan clock1950
quartz watch1969
pulsar1970
1664 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 1 13 Concerning the success of the Pendulum-Watches at Sea for the Longitudes.
1742 in Harvard College Rec. (1925) II. 719 The College Pendulum Watch..[shall] be deliver'd to Mr. Professor Winthrop, for his Use, as mathematical Professor.
1850 T. Ewbank Descr. & Hist. Acct. Hydraul. & other Machines for Raising Water 441 The device for regulating the vibration of the balance in watches by a spring, whence arose the name of pendulum watches, was invented by him [sc. Hautefeuille], and was subsequently improved by Huyghens.
1988 Antiquarian Horol. 17 588/2 A subsequent advert in the London Gazette of 1682 describes a lost Tompion watch as ‘a Pendulum watch’; a term believed to refer to the improved timekeeping of such balance spring watches.
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1707 J. Mortimer Whole Art Husbandry (1708) 100 In Barkshire is a Wheat called Pendulum Wheat.
1771 M. Peters Winter Riches 72 The pendulum wheat, in general in Berkshire.
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the world > time > instruments for measuring time > clock > [noun] > part(s) of
nut1428
peise1428
plumbc1450
Jack1498
clockwork1516
larum1542
Jack of the clockhouse1563
watch-wheel1568
work1570
plummeta1578
Jack of the clock1581
snail-cam1591
snail-work1591
pointer1596
quarter jack1604
mainspring1605
winder1606
notch-wheel1611
fusee1622
count-wheel1647
jack-wheel1647
frame1658
arbor1659
balance1660
fuse1674
hour-figure1675
stop1675
pallet1676
regulator1676
cock1678
movement1678
detent1688
savage1690
clock1696
pinwheel1696
starred wheel1696
swing-wheel1696
warning-wheel1696
watch1696
watch-part1696
hoop-wheel1704
hour-wheel1704
snail1714
step-wheel1714
tide-work1739
train1751
crutch1753
cannon pinion1764
rising board1769
remontoire1774
escapement1779
clock jack1784
locking plate1786
scapement1789
motion work1795
anchor escapement1798
scape1798
star-wheel1798
recoil escapement1800
recoiling pallet1801
recoiling scapement1801
cannon1802
hammer-tail1805
recoiling escapement1805
bottle jack1810
renovating spring1812
quarter-boy1815
pin tooth1817
solar wheel1819
impulse-teeth1825
pendulum wheel1825
pallet arbor1826
rewinder1826
rack hook1829
snail-wheel1831
quarter bell1832
tow1834
star pulley1836
watch train1838
clock train1843
raising-piece1843
wheelwork1843
gravity escapement1850
jumper1850
vertical escapement1850
time train1853
pin pallet1860
spade1862
dead well1867
stop-work1869
ringer1873
strike-or-silent1875
warning-piece1875
guard-pin1879
pendulum cock1881
warning-lever1881
beat-pin1883
fusee-piece1884
fusee-snail1884
shutter1884
tourbillion1884
tumbler1884
virgule1884
foliot1899
grasshopper1899
grasshopper escapement1899
trunk1899
pin lever1908
clock spring1933
1825 ‘J. Nicholson’ Operative Mechanic 492 Affected by any unequal impulse of the pendulum-wheel upon the pallets.
1866 J. L. Bishop Hist. Amer. Manufactures 1608–1860 501 It [sc. a Town Clock] was calculated for 8 days,..to have 3 dials and a mechanical lever to preserve the motion during the winding up; the pendulum wheel and plates to perform the dead beat.
pendulum wire n. flat steel wire used for pendulum springs; (gen.) any wire forming part of a pendulum mechanism.
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1740 Pennsylvania Packet 7 May 3/3 Imported.., verges, watch pendulum wire, steel balance [etc.].
a1877 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. II. 1663/2 Pendulum-wire, flattened wire, by which the bob of a clock is suspended.
1985 Los Angeles Times (Nexis) 10 Oct. i. 1/1 A staffer heard the unmistakable ‘twang’ that told them someone had grabbed at the taut pendulum wire.
2002 Water Power & Dam Constr. (Nexis) 30 June 38 Pendulum wires are installed in these boreholes and tensioned by means of plumb lines.
Derivatives
ˈpendulum-like adj.
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1849 H. Melville Mardi I. i. 5 How many centuries did my hammock tell, as pendulum-like it swung to the ship's dull roll, and ticked the hours and ages.
2001 Nature 25 Jan. 467/1 Geometrically similar bodies that rely on pendulum-like mechanics of movement will have similar gait dynamics.
ˈpendulum-wise adv.
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1850 Harper's Mag. Oct. 615 In 1663, H. Schmitz published the scheme of a great fanner, which, descending through the ceiling, moved to and fro pendulum-wise.
2000 Internat. Jrnl. Social Econ. 27 720 ‘Man's’ opinion of his own position in relation to the rest of the animals has swung pendulum-wise between too great or too little a conceit of himself.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
pendulumv.
/ˈpɛndjᵿləm/, /ˈpɛndʒᵿləm/, U.S. /ˈpɛndʒəl(ə)m/, /ˈpɛndjəl(ə)m/ intransitive. To hang or swing like a pendulum (also figurative). Frequently (Mountaineering) to swing on a rope so as to acquire the momentum to reach another position on a rock face, etc.
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the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > oscillation > oscillate [verb (intransitive)] > swing
totterc1200
swing1545
vibrate1667
pendulate1698
swingle1755
pendulum1885
to play pendulum1893
1885 W. F. Crafts Sabbath for Man vi. 458 The Sabbath of our fathers..was far better than the extreme of laxity to which we have pendulumed.
1949 A. Roch Climbs of my Youth xiv. 115 We had to drive a piton into a slab and then pendulum across over the ice of the couloir.
1971 C. Bonington Annapurna South Face xii. 145 My feet slipped on the snow steps, and I pendulumed clumsily across the arête into the gully.
1995 Daily Mail Holiday Action Summer 8/3 The rope snaps taught and swings you, cruising at an altitude of 20m, across towards the other bridge and penduluming below it.
2002 Oshkosh (Wisconsin) Northwestern 18 Aug. 1 I can also see beyond those weeds and cement to a time when swings pendulumed higher and higher, kids shrieking as they pumped for even more height.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1660
v.1885- enamellar
- enamelled
- enamelled board
- enamelled leather
- enamelled photograph
- enameller
- enamellers
- enamellers' copper
- enamelling
- enamelling-furnace
- enamelling-lamp
- enamellingfurnace
- enamellinglamp
- enamellings
- enamellining
- embattlements
- embattles
- embattling
- embay
- embayed
- embaying
- embayment
- embayments
- embays
- embden groats