pinion — the outer part of a bird's wing including the flight feathers
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: the outer part of a bird's wing including the flight feathers
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈpɪnjən/
Example Sentences
- The superhero's pinions were clipped by the villain's net gun
- My watch stopped working when the tiny pinion gear got stuck
- The detective was pinioned by red tape and bureaucracy
pinion
NOUN[/ˈpɪnjən/]
the outer part of a bird's wing including the flight feathers

While the free citizen swung his arms widely as he walked, the arrested thief had his arms tightly pinioned behind his back.

PIN (hold down) + ION (action) — by using the action (ION) of a heavy metal PIN (hold down), the wrestler was able to pinion his opponent to the mat.

The engineer checked the pinion, shared his opinion, and asked his companion to inspect the gear with him.
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Middle French 'pignon' meaning wing tip or feather, ultimately from Latin 'penna' meaning feather. The mechanical gear sense developed because small gears resembled the shape of a bird's wing.
Breakdown
pinn- (wing/feather, from Latin penna) + -ion (noun suffix indicating a thing or part)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The superhero's pinions were clipped by the villain's net gun”
“My watch stopped working when the tiny pinion gear got stuck”
“The detective was pinioned by red tape and bureaucracy”
“She felt like her creativity was pinioned by endless meetings”
📚Related Words
Want to master 27,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.