How Do You Spell PENDULOUSLY?

Pronunciation: [pˈɛndjʊləsli] (IPA)

The word "pendulously" is spelled with a prefix "pendul" from the Latin word "pendulus," which means "hanging down." The suffix "-ously" is added to this prefix to form an adverb. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /ˈpɛn.djʊ.lə.sli/. The first syllable "pen" is pronounced with the short "e" sound, the "dju" sound in the second syllable is pronounced like "jew," and the last syllable "ly" is pronounced with the long "e" sound.

PENDULOUSLY Meaning and Definition

1. Pendulously is an adverb that describes an action or movement characterized by swinging or hanging loosely, as if suspended from a support. The word is derived from the adjective "pendulous," which refers to something that is easily moved by a slight force and tends to hang down loosely when not held taut.

   When used to describe an object or body part, pendulously implies a certain degree of flexibility or pliability that allows it to dangle and sway in response to external influences such as gravity or air currents. For example, the branches of a weeping willow tree may be described as hanging pendulously, swaying with the wind. Similarly, a pendant worn around one's neck might be said to hang pendulously, moving gently with the wearer's movements.

   This adverb can also be applied metaphorically to describe movements or behaviors that display a similar loose and swaying quality. For instance, a person who walks with an awkward gait that causes their arms to swing loosely by their sides could be said to move pendulously. In this context, the term highlights the lack of control or precision in their movement.

   Overall, pendulously describes a state of suspension or hanging, emphasizing the loose and flexible nature of the action or object involved.

Common Misspellings for PENDULOUSLY

• oendulously
• lendulously
• -endulously
• 0endulously
• pwndulously
• psndulously
• pdndulously
• prndulously
• p4ndulously
• p3ndulously
• pebdulously
• pemdulously
• pejdulously
• pehdulously
• pensulously
• penxulously
• penculously
• penfulously
• penrulously
• peneulously

Etymology of PENDULOUSLY

The word pendulously is derived from the noun pendulum, which originated in Latin. The Latin word pendulus means hanging down, dangling, and it is derived from the verb pendere which means to hang. Over time, pendulum came to be used to specifically refer to the swinging weight in a clock or a similar device. The adverb pendulously is formed by adding the -ly suffix to the adjective pendulous, which in turn is derived from pendulum.