5. An inverted pendulum consisting of a short vertical flat spring
which supports a rod having a bob at the top; -- used for detecting and
measuring slight horizontal vibrations of a body to which it is
attached.
Node (?), n. [L. nodus; perh. akin to E. knot. Cf. Noose, Nowed.] 1. A
knot, a knob; a protuberance; a swelling.
2. Specifically: (a) (Astron.) One of the two points where the orbit of
a planet, or comet, intersects the ecliptic, or the orbit of a
satellite intersects the plane of the orbit of its primary. (b) (Bot.)
The joint of a stem, or the part where a leaf or several leaves are
inserted. (c) (Dialing) A hole in the gnomon of a dial, through which
passes the ray of light which marks the hour of the day, the parallels
of the sun's declination, his place in the ecliptic, etc. (d) (Geom.)
The point at which a curve crosses itself, being a double point of the
curve. See Crunode, and Acnode. (e) (Mech.) The point at which the
lines of a funicular machine meet from different angular directions; --
called also knot. W. R. Johnson. (f) (poet.) The knot, intrigue, or
plot of a piece. (g) (Med.) A hard concretion or incrustation which
forms upon bones attacked with rheumatism, gout, or syphilis; sometimes
also, a swelling in the neighborhood of a joint. Dunglison. (h) (Mus)
One of the fixed points of a sonorous string, when it vibrates by
aliquot parts, and produces the harmonic tones; nodal line or point.
(i) (Zoöl.) A swelling.
Ascending node (Astron.), the node at which the body is passing
northerly, marked with the symbol , called the Dragon's head. Called
also northern node. -- Descending node, the node at which the body is
moving southwardly, marked thus , called Dragon's tail. -- Line of
nodes, a straight line joining the two nodes of an orbit.
Nod"ic*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to the nodes; from a node to the
same node again; as, the nodical revolutions of the moon.
Nodical month. See Lunar month, under Month.
No`do*sa"rine (?), a. (Zoöl.) Resembling in form or structure a
foraminiferous shell of the genus Nodosaria. -- n. (Zoöl.) A
foraminifer of the genus Nodosaria or of an allied genus.
No*dose" (?), a. [L. nodosus, fr. nodus knot.] 1. Knotty; having
numerous or conspicuous nodes.
2. (Zoöl.) Having nodes or prominences; having the alternate joints
enlarged, as the antennæ of certain insects.
No*dos"i*ty (&?;), n. [L. nodositas.] 1. The quality of being knotty or
nodose; resemblance to a node or swelling; knottiness. Holland.