penna

American  

[pen-uh] / ˈpɛn ə /

noun

Ornithology.

pennae plural

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

K. Manoel de Mello gives a fairer estimate in the witty phrase, "Chronista antigo, tão candido de penna, como de barba."

From The Chronicle of the Discovery and Conquest of Guinea Vol. I by Azurara, Gomes Eannes de

If there is any word in that passage which could be considered coextensive in meaning with the word "sewell," it would undoubtedly be "penna."

From Notes and Queries, Vol. III, Number 86, June 21, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Geneologists, etc. by Various

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

Dic, Phoenix unde in nitidos novus emicat annos, Plaudit et elusos aurea penna rogos?

From The Complete Works of Richard Crashaw, Volume II (of 2) by Crashaw, Richard

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

Related Words

• fringe
• plume