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Glite Dictionary
tensegrity

tensegrity

1 9.9
A structure held together by parts that pull and push against each other in balance
  • noun
  • /ˌtɛnˈsɛɡrɪti/
  • Specialized
: tensegridad
  • The architect designed a sculpture based on the principles of tensegrity, allowing it to sway gently in the wind.

It's just a perfect balance of compression and tension forces for tensegrity.

Examples

  • Is that energy/power the same fundamental power that powers the trained tensegrity, etc.?

    Blog text (22)

  • I'm familiar with tensegrity within the context of Buckminster Fuller and different design principles.

  • So you may recall I mentioned if you look at the space of infinitesimal motions of a linkage or a tensegrity, they form a cone.

  • For internal power, there is the power to give, grow, and nurture life—and then there is tensegrity, holding multiple mental intention directions, storing power in the spine and releasing power from the spine, reverse breathing, etc.

    Blog text (22)

  • Structures based on tensegrity effectively balance tension and compression to maintain stability.

  • In biology, tensegrity explains how cell structures maintain their shape and integrity through tension.

Surface Forms

tensegrity singular
tensegrities plural

Morphology

tensegrity = tens + egrity

The term 'tensegrity' is a coined term combining 'tension' and a suffix-like element '-egrity', which does not have a clear standalone meaning, making it opaque.

Etymology

The word tensegrity is a modern blend of tens- from 'tension', meaning 'pulling', and -grity from integrity, meaning 'wholeness'. So, tensegrity describes a structure held by a balance of pulling and pushing, which is why tensegrity designs look light yet very stable.