pendulum

/'pendjuləm/

Thân thiện

A grandfather clock has a long pendulum that swings back and forth.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A swinging weight: A pendulum is a weight suspended from a fixed point so that it can swing freely back and forth under the influence of gravity. It is a fundamental apparatus in physics for measuring time and demonstrating harmonic motion.
   • A metaphor for regular change or oscillation: The word is often used metaphorically to describe something that moves or changes between two states, points, or opinions in a regular, predictable, or extreme manner.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Physical Object):
  • The old grandfather clock kept time with a brass pendulum.
  • Galileo studied the motion of a pendulum.
• Noun (Metaphorical Use):
  • Public opinion is a pendulum that swings between liberal and conservative views.
  • His mood swings were like a pendulum, from extreme joy to deep despair.

Advanced Usage

• "The pendulum has swung": This idiom indicates that a trend, opinion, or situation has changed dramatically to the opposite extreme.
  • After years of strict policies, the pendulum has swung towards more relaxed regulations.
• "To be a pendulum between": To alternate regularly between two states or positions.
  • The country's foreign policy has been a pendulum between isolationism and intervention.

Variants and Related Words

• Pendulous (adj): Hanging down loosely and swinging; drooping.
  • The tree had pendulous branches laden with fruit.
• Pendular (adj): Relating to or resembling the motion of a pendulum.
  • The patient exhibited a pendular eye movement.

Synonyms

• Oscillator: A device or system that exhibits periodic oscillation.
• Swing: A device for swinging on or the act of moving back and forth (less technical).

Related Phrases

• Pendulum clock: A clock that uses a pendulum as its timekeeping element.
  • The pendulum clock in the hall chimes every hour.
• Pendulum effect: The tendency for things to swing from one extreme to another.
  • The pendulum effect in fashion means that styles from decades ago often come back.

Related Idioms

• "The swing of the pendulum": The natural movement or change from one condition or opinion to another.
  • We are just seeing the swing of the pendulum in economic cycles.

Học thuật

Noun

1. an apparatus consisting of an object mounted so that it swings freely under the influence of gravity