Pendant

/ˈpɛndənt/ noun, adjective

Definition

As a noun, a pendant is a piece of jewelry that hangs from a chain, usually worn around the neck. As an adjective (less common), it can mean hanging or suspended.

Etymology

“Pendant” comes from Old French *pendant*, from Latin *pendere*, meaning “to hang.” The same root appears in words like “depend” and “suspend.”

Kelly Says

A pendant is literally a “hanger”—its whole identity is that it dangles. That same hanging idea is in “dependent” (hanging from someone else) and “suspense” (hanging in uncertainty). One little root word lets you picture jewelry, relationships, and cliffhangers the same way.

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