Pendentive

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Pendentive \Pen*den"tive\ (p[e^]n*d[e^]nt"[i^]v), n. [F.
     pendentif, fr. L. pendere to hang.] (Arch.)
        (a) The portion of a vault by means of which the square
            space in the middle of a building is brought to an
            octagon or circle to receive a cupola.
        (b) The part of a groined vault which is supported by, and


            springs from, one pier or corbel.
            [1913 Webster]