PENDANT

pendent, pendant, dependent

(adjective) held from above and hanging down; “a pendant bunch of grapes”

chandelier, pendant, pendent

(noun) branched lighting fixture; often ornate; hangs from the ceiling

pendant, pendent

(noun) an adornment that hangs from a piece of jewelry (necklace or earring)

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

pendant (plural pendants)

(architecture) A supporting post attached to the main rafter. [from 14th c.]

A piece of jewellery which hangs down as an ornament, especially worn on a chain around the neck. [from 15th c.]

The dangling part of an earring. [from 16th c.]

(nautical) A short rope hanging down, used to attach hooks for tackles; a pennant. [from 15th c.]

(fine arts) One of a pair; a counterpart.

(obsolete) An appendix or addition, as to a book.

(obsolete, in the plural) Testicles. [15th-17th c.]

(obsolete) A pendulum.

(US) The stem and ring of a watch, by which it is suspended.

A lamp hanging from the roof.

An ornament of wood or of stone hanging downwards from a roof.

A long narrow flag at the head of the principal mast in a royal ship.

Source: Wiktionary

Pend"ant, n. Etym: [F., orig. p.pr. of pendre to hang, L. pendere. Cf. Pendent, Pansy, Pensive, Poise, Ponder.]

1. Something which hangs or depends; something suspended; a hanging appendage, especially one of an ornamental character; as to a chandelier or an eardrop; also, an appendix or addition, as to a book. Some hang upon the pendants of her ear. Pope. Many . . . have been pleased with this work and its pendant, the Tales and Popular Fictions. Keightley.

2. (Arch.)

Definition: A hanging ornament on roofs, ceilings, etc., much used in the later styles of Gothic architecture, where it is of stone, and an important part of the construction. There are imitations in plaster and wood, which are mere decorative features. "[A bridge] with . . . pendants graven fair." Spenser.

3. (Fine Arts)

Definition: One of a pair; a counterpart; as, one vase is the pendant to the other vase.

4. A pendulum. [Obs.] Sir K. Digby.

5. The stem and ring of a watch, by which it is suspended. [U.S.] Knight. Pendant post (Arch.), a part of the framing of an open timber roof; a post set close against the wall, and resting upon a corbel or other solid support, and supporting the ends of a collar beam or any part of the roof.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition