/pen den"tiv/ , n. Archit.
1. any of several spandrels, in the form of spherical triangles, forming a transition between the circular plan of a dome and the polygonal plan of the supporting masonry.
2. any of several masonry devices, as squinches or trompes, for forming a transition between a circular or polygonal construction, as a dome or lantern, and supporting masonry of a different plan.
adj.
3. functioning as, or substituting for, a pendentive: pendentive corbeling.
[ 1720-30; PENDENT + -IVE, modeled on F pendentif ]