pendulum
UK: ˈpen.djʊ.ləm | US: ˈpen.dʒə.ləm
n. a weight hung from a fixed point so that it can swing freely, especially a rod with a weight at the end that regulates the mechanism of a clock
n. (figuratively) something that swings or fluctuates between two states, opinions, or conditions
pendulum = pend<hang> + ulum<noun suffix>
- pend (from Latin pendere, meaning "to hang")
- ulum (Latin suffix forming nouns, often denoting instruments or tools)
Etymology Origin:
The word pendulum originates from the Latin pendulus ("hanging down"), derived from pendere ("to hang"). It entered English in the 17th century to describe the swinging weight in clocks, reflecting its literal "hanging" motion. The suffix -ulum reinforces its function as a tool or instrument. The word’s evolution mirrors its physical behavior—oscillating between two points, much like its figurative use for shifting opinions or trends.
The pendulum of the grandfather clock swung steadily.
Public opinion is a pendulum that often shifts between extremes.
Scientists use a pendulum to demonstrate gravitational forces.
The political climate acts like a pendulum, swinging from left to right.
Adjust the pendulum’s length to change the clock’s timing.