pending

Where does the word "pending" come from? It comes from Latin pendere, passing through French before entering English (1600s).

Pending’s story begins in Latin: pendere meant “to hang, to weigh.” The root of 'pendant', 'suspend' and 'depend'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in French as pendant. Hanging, awaiting, present participle of pendre (from pendere). It reached English by 1600s as pending. Settled as the English word for something awaiting a decision or resolution. Today, pending means awaiting a decision or resolution, not yet settled.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient pendere "to hang, to weigh", the root of 'pendant', 'suspend' and 'depend'.
2. Stage 2 · French · medieval pendant "hanging, awaiting", hanging, awaiting, present participle of pendre (from pendere).
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s pending "awaiting a decision or resolution", settled as the English word for something awaiting a decision or resolution.