Pendant
/ˈpɛndənt/
nounB1
Definition
A pendant is a small object, often made of metal or decorated with stones, that hangs down from a necklace or chain. People wear pendants as decoration or for special meaning, like a gift or a symbol.
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See It in Action
Jewelry hanging from a chain, worn around the neck
- •She wore a gold pendant with a small diamond.
- •The pendant swung gently as he walked.
- •I received a heart-shaped pendant for my birthday.
Any object hanging down, sometimes used in art or decoration
- •The chandelier had crystal pendants hanging from it.
- •The pendant on the lamp added a nice touch to the room.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "pendant" like a "necklace" (A1 word), but it is the small part that hangs from the necklace, not the whole chain.
- ✓Picture a shiny little charm or shape hanging and moving gently from a thin chain around someone's neck.
- ✓It's the feeling of wearing something special that moves slightly when you walk or turn your head.
- ✓Sounds like "PEN-dent" → imagine a small pen (writing tool) hanging down like a charm on a necklace.
- ✓In stories, a pendant might hold magic or a secret, like a special jewel that a hero wears.
- ✓NOT like "ring" (which goes on a finger), a pendant is always something that hangs down.
- ✓NOT like "bracelet" (worn on the wrist), pendant hangs from the neck or sometimes from earrings.
- ✓NOT like "brooch" (which pins to clothes), pendant hangs freely on a chain or cord.
Try Other Words
- •Necklace charm: a small decorative object hanging on a necklace (Use when the object is small and lucky or symbolic)
- •Medallion: a large, flat pendant often with a design or picture (Use when the pendant is bigger and flat)
- •Amulet: a pendant worn for protection or luck (Use when the pendant has a meaning beyond decoration)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "pend-" (from Latin "pendere" meaning to hang) + "-ant" (a suffix forming nouns)
- •Etymology: From Latin "pendere" meaning "to hang," the word came into English through Old French and Middle English.
- •Historical development: Originally used for things that hang, especially jewelry or decorations, since the Middle Ages.
- •Modern usage: Mostly refers to jewelry pieces hanging from chains, but can also describe hanging decorations.
Reflect & Connect
•What kinds of pendants have you seen or worn, and what did they mean to you?
•How does the design of a pendant affect what it symbolizes or how people feel when they wear it?
Fill in the blanks
1.A pendant usually hangs ___ a chain around the neck to decorate it.
2.People often give pendants as gifts because they can have ___ meaning.
3.Unlike a ring, a pendant does not go on a finger but ___ from a necklace.
4.A pendant can be made of gold, silver, or even decorated with ___ stones.
5.The pendant ___ gently when the person moves or walks.
6.Sometimes, a pendant is worn as an amulet to bring ___ or protection.
7.When a pendant is very small and lucky, it is often called a ___ instead.