pendulous

Pendulous is an adjective meaning hanging downward loosely and often swinging or swaying. It is used to describe objects, plant structures, or body parts that hang from a point rather than standing erect. The term conveys drooping, sagging, or suspended form, and it appears across disciplines such as biology, anatomy, and horticulture to characterize shapes that extend downward.

The word derives from Latin pendulus, meaning "hanging," from pendere "to hang." In English, the form pendulous has been in use since the early modern period and is typically reserved for descriptive contexts rather than technical diagnoses.

In botany, pendulous describes plant parts that hang downward from their supports. Pendulous inflorescences or fruit clusters hang below the stem, producing a suspended appearance. Examples include the long, drooping racemes of wisteria and the hanging flowers of several orchid species, as well as pendulous seed capsules found in various shrubs and grasses.

In zoology and anatomy, pendulous is used to describe body parts or appendages that hang freely from a point. Pendulous ears are a common descriptor for certain dog breeds and other mammals, while pendulous folds of skin or tissue may occur in aging individuals. The term remains chiefly descriptive, emphasizing downward projection rather than function.