penna

[pen-uh]

noun

Ornithology.

plural

pennae 

1. a contour feather, as distinguished from a down feather, plume, etc.

penna

/ pɛˈneɪʃəs, ˈpɛnə /

noun

1. ornithol any large feather that has a vane and forms part of the main plumage of a bird

Other Word Forms

• pennaceous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of penna¹

< Latin: feather. See pen ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of penna¹

Latin: feather

Example Sentences

David Yazbek, who conceived the idea of turning this stranger-than-fiction tale into a musical, wrote the score with Erik Della Penna.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s what I’ve been calling documentary musical theater,” Itamar Moses, who wrote the books for “The Band’s Visit” and “Dead Outlaw,” said over dinner in Greenwich Village with Yazbek, Cromer and Erik Della Penna, who wrote the music and lyrics for “Dead Outlaw” with Yazbek.

From New York Times

Conceived by David Yazbek, who wrote the “Dead Outlaw” music and lyrics with Erik Della Penna, this oddball new show reunites Yazbek with the book writer Itamar Moses and the director David Cromer.

From New York Times

Marino’s childhood friend cinematographer Frank Barrera came with a guitar and Eduardo Penna, a TV writer friend Marino and Wain met while living in the NYU dorms, picked up the bass.

From Los Angeles Times

Penna says that for him, being in the Middle Aged Dad Jam Band is about making up for lost time.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fringe 
• plume