piv|ot

piv|ot «PIHV uht», noun, verb, adjective.

–n.

1. a short shaft, pin, or point on which something turns. The pin of a hinge or the end of an axle or spindle is a pivot.

2. a turn on a pivot.

3. Figurative. that on which something turns, hinges, or depends; central point: »

His pitching was the pivot of our team's hopes. A permanent pivot in the center of one's inner life is also a stake beyond which one cannot range (Edmund Wilson).

4. a) Basketball. a way of moving while holding the ball in which a player may step in any direction with one foot, but he must keep the other foot in one spot on the floor. b) the position of a pivotman.

–v.t.

to mount on, attach by, or provide with a pivot or pivots: »

The swinging door was pivoted on one side; the revolving door was pivoted in the center.

–v.i.

1. to turn on or as if on a pivot: »

to pivot on one's heel. There is a recess, and the board at the back pivots; a very simple hiding place (Joseph Conrad).

2. to execute a dance figure suggesting pivoting.

3. Basketball. to use the pivot.

4. to change seats, as at a bridge table, when one player remains in his place, so that the partnerships change.

–adj.

= pivotal. (Cf. ↑pivotal)

╂[< Old French pivot; origin uncertain]