pensile

[ pen-sahyl, -sil ]

adjective

1. hanging, as the nests of certain birds.
2. building a hanging nest.

pensile

/ pɛnˈsɪlɪtɪ; ˈpɛnsaɪl /

adjective

1. ornithol designating or building a hanging nest

   pensile birds

Derived Forms

• pensility, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pensile¹

1595–1605; < Latin pēnsilis hanging down, equivalent to pēns ( us ) past participle of pendēre to hang (equivalent to pend- verb stem + -tus past participle suffix, with dt > s ) + -ilis -ile

Word History and Origins

Origin of pensile¹

C17: from Latin pensilis hanging down, from pendēre to hang

Example Sentences

The "pensile Lilac" has been sung by many poets; but the spirit of the flower has been best portrayed in verse by Elizabeth Akers.

From Project Gutenberg

The pensile Lilacs still their favors throw.

From Project Gutenberg

These pensile nests are said to have been found loaded on one side with a small stone or bits of earth to ensure their safe balance, though how the compensatory process is applied no one can say.

From Project Gutenberg

Pensile, pen′sīl, adj. hanging: suspended.—ns.

From Project Gutenberg

The crowns suspended in churches suggested doubtless the sumptuous pensile luminaries, frequently designated from a very early period as coronae, in which the form of the royal circlet was preserved in much larger proportions, as exemplified by the remarkable corona still to be seen suspended in the cathedral at Aix-la-Chapelle over the crypt in which the body of Charlemagne was deposited.”

From Project Gutenberg