pending English · revision 10419

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1642|origins=fr pendant|origins=la pendere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈpɛndɪŋ/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is an anglicized form of French [[m|fr|pendant|t=during; literally hanging]], the present participle of pendre, to hang,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998) with the English ending [[-ing]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) The use is modelled on Latin pendente, hanging, undecided, as in the legal phrase pendente lite, while the suit is pending,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from pendēre, to hang (from PIE *(s)pen-, to draw, stretch).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ During, throughout the continuance of: 1642, the 1640s in Etymonline.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Hanging, overhanging, is a rare sense from 1756.^(OED 1989) Awaiting decision or settlement, originally of a lawsuit, is from 1797 (the 18th century in Hoad).^(OED 1989)^(Hoad 1986) Impending, imminent, is from 1806,^(OED 1989) and the preposition, while awaiting, until, from 1838.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1642 – during (preposition).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1756 – overhanging.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1797 – awaiting decision.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1806 – imminent.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1838 – until.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Not yet decided or settled; awaiting a conclusion.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # About to happen; [[imminent]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Preposition===

+ # While awaiting; until: ''pending an inquiry''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # During.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[nonpending]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[dependent]]

+ * [[pendant]]

+ * [[pendulous]]

+ * [[pendulum]]

+ * [[depend]]

+ * [[suspend]]

+ * [[impending]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}