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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.
💡 Concept

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.
🧠 Mnemonic

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.
🎵 Rhyme

The engineer checked the pinion, shared his opinion, and asked his companion to inspect the gear with him.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈpɪnjən/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈpɪnjən/

🌳Etymology

Rootpinion

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

minion
dominion
opinion

🔗Collocations

spread one's pinions
pinion gear
pinioned arms
eagle's pinions
pinion someone down
mechanical pinion

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“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

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