The correct spelling of the word "pendular movement" is /ˈpɛndjʊlər/ /ˈmuːvmənt/. The pronunciation is /PEN-joo-lur/ /MOOv-muhnt/. The word describes the back-and-forth movement of a pendulum, swinging from side to side. The first part of the word is derived from the Latin word "pendulus" meaning "hanging," and the second part is derived from the Latin word "movimentum" meaning "movement." Speakers of English may occasionally misspell the word as "pendular movement" or "pendular movement."
Pendular movement refers to the cyclic and oscillatory motion of an object or body back and forth around a fixed point or axis, resembling the swinging motion of a pendulum. In this movement, the object moves in a repetitive pattern, alternating its position between two opposite extremes, reaching its maximum displacement in both directions.
The concept of pendular movement finds its roots in physics, where it can be observed in various objects and systems. The most common example of pendular movement is the motion of a pendulum itself—the swinging motion of a weight suspended from a fixed point. As the pendulum swings from one extreme to another, it continuously converts potential energy into kinetic energy and vice versa.
This concept is not limited to physical objects alone, as it can also be applied to biological systems. In human locomotion, a pendular movement can be seen in the walking gait, where the swinging motion of the legs resembles that of a pendulum. Additionally, pendular movements can also be observed in certain animals, such as the tail movement of a cat or a dog, where the tail swings back and forth.
Overall, pendular movement is a fundamental concept that describes the cyclical back and forth motion of an object or body around a fixed point or axis, resembling the motion of a pendulum.
A to-and-fro movement of the intestine, without any propelling or peristaltic action, whereby the contents are churned and thoroughly mixed with the intestinal fermeuts.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "pendular" comes from the Latin word "pendulum", which means "something that hangs" or "pendant". The term "pendulum" derives from the Latin verb "pendere", which means "to hang" or "to weigh". In turn, the Latin verb comes from the Proto-Indo-European root "*pent-", meaning "to hang".
The word "movement" comes from the Latin verb "movere", meaning "to move". It is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*meue-", which also means "to move" or "to push".
Therefore, when combined, "pendular movement" refers to the movement that mimics the swinging motion of a pendulum, oscillating back and forth.