pending

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈpɛndɪŋ/^[1]

Etymology

It is an anglicized form of French pendant (“during; literally hanging”), the present participle of pendre, to hang,^[2][3][4][5] with the English ending -ing.^[2][6] The use is modelled on Latin pendente, hanging, undecided, as in the legal phrase pendente lite, while the suit is pending,^[2][3] from pendēre, to hang (from PIE *(s)pen-, to draw, stretch).^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

During, throughout the continuance of: 1642, the 1640s in Etymonline.^[2][7][3]

Semantic evolution

Hanging, overhanging, is a rare sense from 1756.^[7] Awaiting decision or settlement, originally of a lawsuit, is from 1797 (the 18th century in Hoad).^[7][4] Impending, imminent, is from 1806,^[7] and the preposition, while awaiting, until, from 1838.^[7]

Timeline

• 1642 – during (preposition).^[7]
• 1756 – overhanging.^[7]
• 1797 – awaiting decision.^[7]
• 1806 – imminent.^[7]
• 1838 – until.^[7]

Modern meaning

Adjective

1. Not yet decided or settled; awaiting a conclusion.
2. About to happen; imminent.

Preposition

1. While awaiting; until: pending an inquiry.
2. During.

Word family

• nonpending

Related words

• dependent
• pendant
• pendulous
• pendulum
• depend
• suspend
• impending

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
3. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press