penna

American  

[pen-uh] / ˈpɛn ə /

noun

Ornithology.

plural

pennae

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

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penna British  

/ pɛˈneɪʃəs, ˈpɛnə /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• pennaceous adjective

Etymology

Origin of penna

< Latin: feather. See pen ¹

Example Sentences

But, alas! with the book the sounds glided away; and "penna" and "pennam" and "pennis" and "pennæ" were confusedly and indiscriminately mingled.

From The Pearl of Orr's Island A Story of the Coast of Maine by Stowe, Harriet Beecher

L’eroe ha movimenti da eroe, il volgar da volgare; e quel che non descriverebbe lingua nè penna, descrive in pochissimi tratti l’ingegno e l’arte di Raffaello.”—p.

From The Art of Needle-work, from the Earliest Ages, 3rd ed. Including Some Notices of the Ancient Historical Tapestries by Menzies, Sutherland, fl. 1840-1883

He rarely abandons himself, without reserve, to the frolic puerilities so common with the sister Muse of Italy,   "Scritta così come la penna getta,   Per fuggir l'ozio, e non per cercar gloria."

From The History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic — Volume 2 by Prescott, William Hickling

Remigum penna prima brevissima, secunda pennis 4 proximis paribus brevior.

From Zoological Illustrations, Volume II or Original Figures and Descriptions of New, Rare, or Interesting Animals by Swainson, William

Similarly, I have used the form penna at iv 12 and vii 37, where C offers pinna.

From The Last Poems of Ovid by Akrigg, Mark Bear

Related Words

• fringe
• plume