pender

The Spanish verb "pender" has a couple of related meanings centered around the idea of hanging or being undecided.

Meaning

1. To hang or be suspended
   "Pender" means to be hanging from something, suspended in the air. It describes an object or item that is dangling or hanging down.

   • Example: El cuadro pende de la pared. (The picture hangs on the wall.)

2. To be pending or unresolved (usually used in legal or formal contexts)
   It can also mean that something is undecided, unresolved, or pending, particularly in legal or official matters.

   • Example: El juicio todavía pende sobre él. (The trial still hangs over him / The trial is still pending.)

Word Parts

• "Pender" comes from the Latin pendere, which means "to hang."

Synonyms

• For the hanging meaning:
  • Colgar: to hang
  • Suspender: to suspend
• For the pending/undecided meaning:
  • Estar pendiente: to be pending
  • Quedar por resolver: to remain unresolved

Antonyms

• For the hanging meaning:
  • Caer: to fall
  • Apoyar: to support/put down firmly
• For the pending meaning:
  • Resolver: to resolve
  • Decidir: to decide

Summary

"Pender" is primarily about something physically hanging or metaphorically being unresolved, still awaiting resolution or decision. It is used more frequently in formal or literary contexts rather than everyday speech.