gimbal
gimbal Lexical Profile
gimbal Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A mechanical support or pivoted mechanism, often consisting of concentric rings, that permits an object such as a camera or compass to remain horizontal or rotate freely regardless of the motion of its base.
"The drone's camera was mounted on a three-axis gimbal to ensure the video footage remained perfectly smooth despite the heavy winds."
A ring or system of rings on axes at right angles, historically used to keep an instrument horizontal in a moving marine vessel.
"The ship's chronometer was suspended in a brass gimbal to compensate for the continuous pitching and rolling of the waves."
• verb
To swivel or pivot on a mechanical support to maintain balance or direct thrust.
"As the spacecraft ascended through the atmosphere, the main engine began to gimbal rapidly to keep the trajectory stable."
To support on or provide with a pivoted mechanism that allows free rotation.
"Engineers decided to gimbal the thruster to allow for precise directional control during the satellite's deployment."
• Rhymes for gimbal
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Middle English 'gymbal' (a joint or connecting link), which came from the Old French 'gemel' meaning 'twin', ultimately tracing back to the Latin 'gemellus'. It originally referred to a mechanism consisting of twin rings.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.