GIMBALS Meaning and
Definition
-
Gimbals, also known as gimbal rings or gimbal mounts, are mechanical devices designed to allow an object to remain stable and upright regardless of the motion of its support or its own movement. They consist of a set of pivots that allows for the rotation of an object along multiple axes. Gimbals are typically used in a variety of applications, including navigation systems, photography and videography equipment, and aerospace and maritime industries.
The main purpose of gimbals is to maintain the orientation of an object, keeping it level and steady irrespective of external forces or movement. This is achieved by suspending the object within a set of pivots that allow independent rotation along different axes. This design ensures that the object always remains upright and horizontal, without affecting its stability or balance.
Gimbals are commonly used in navigation instruments, such as compasses and gyroscopes, to keep them stable and accurate while the platform they are mounted on experiences movement or rotation. In photography and videography, gimbals are used to stabilize cameras and other equipment, providing smooth and steady shots even when the operator is in motion. In aerospace and maritime industries, gimbals are employed to maintain the stability of various systems and components on aircraft, spacecraft, ships, and submarines.
In summary, gimbals are mechanical devices that allow an object to maintain its stability and orientation despite external forces or movements. Their ability to rotate along multiple axes makes them essential in a wide range of applications where stability and precise orientation are crucial.
-
Pairs of brass hoops or rings moving within one another on diameters at right angles to each other, so that anything suspended in their centre will always retain a constant position; the apparatus on board a ship to which the mariner's compass is attached.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for GIMBALS
Etymology of GIMBALS
The word "gimbals" has an interesting etymology. It can be traced back to the Middle English word "gimbal", which referred to a pivoting device used for suspending or supporting something. The term later derived from the Old English word "gim", meaning "a gem" or "precious stone", likely due to the way the original gimbal device resembled a suspended object.
The use of the word "gimbal" in English can be attributed to Sir Thomas North's translation of Plutarch's "Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans", which was published in 1579. In his translation, North used the term "jympalls" to describe the device used for an ancient Greek invention called a "suspensator", which functioned similarly to modern gimbals.
Similar spelling words for GIMBALS
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
