pendentive

A three-sided, curved section of vaulting between the rim of a dome and each adjacent pair of the arches that support it.

Having pendentives; of the shape of or pertaining to pendentives.

In architecture, one of the triangular segments of the lower part of a hemispherical dome left by the penetration of the dome by two semicircular or ogival vaults, intersecting at right angles.

The portion of a vault by means of which the square space in the middle of a building is brought to an octagon or circle to receive a cupola.

The part of a groined vault which is supported by, and springs from, one pier or corbel.

The concave triangular sections of vaulting that provide the transition between a dome and the square base on which it is set and transfer the weight of the dome.