The Spanish word 'pendiente' comes from the Latin word 'pendens', meaning 'hanging'. 'Pendens' itself was formed from the Latin verb 'pendere' (to hang) combined with the present participle suffix '-entis'. Over time, this word evolved in Spanish to mean not only 'hanging' but also 'slope' or 'incline' (as in a hillside that appears to hang downward), as well as 'pending' (as in something that hangs or remains unfinished).

Several common Spanish words share this Latin root, including 'pender' (to hang), 'dependiente' (dependent, or sales clerk - originally one who depends on or hangs on to a superior), and 'independiente' (independent - literally 'not hanging from' something else). The word 'suspender' (to suspend) also comes from this same root, with the prefix 'sus-' meaning 'up from below'.

English speakers can recognize this root in many familiar words such as 'pendant' (a hanging piece of jewelry), 'pending' (awaiting resolution, metaphorically hanging), 'suspend' (to hang from above), 'depend' (literally 'to hang from'), and 'perpendicular' (hanging straight down, at right angles). The word 'appendix' also comes from this root, as it was seen as something 'hanging onto' the main text or body organ.