Definition of "gimbal" in English

noun

1. A device for suspending something, such as a ship's compass, so that it will remain level when its support is tipped.

   • 1934, A. E. W. Mason, “The Chronometer,” Chapter II, in Dilemmas, London: Hodder & Stoughton, He lifted the chronometer off the gimbals on which it was slung in the mahogany case and showed the number engraved upon the bottom.

verb

1. (transitive) To suspend using a gimbal or gimbals.

   • 1918, Richard Dehan (Clotilde Graves), That Which Hath Wings, New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Chapter 32, […] he conned his course in masterly fashion by aid of the roller-map, protected by its transparent, rainproof casing, or the compass, clock, altimeter, and other instruments gimballed in the wooden frame in front of the pilot’s seat.

2. (transitive, aerospace) To move a reaction engine about on a gimbal so as to obtain pitching and yawing correction moments.

3. (intransitive) To swivel, move on an axis.