pennon
[pen-uh n]
- a distinctive flag in any of various forms, as tapering, triangular, or swallow-tailed, formerly one borne on the lance of a knight.
- a pennant.
- any flag or banner.
- a wing or pinion.
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Origin of pennon
1325–75; Middle English penon < Middle French, augmentative of Old French pene < Latin penna or pinna feather. See pen1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for pennon
Historical Examples
Close by the stern stood Black Simon with the pennon of the house of Loring.
The White CompanyArthur Conan Doyle
What is the use of a shield on a wall, or a lance that has a cobweb for a pennon?
BurlesquesWilliam Makepeace Thackeray
He needed his Squire at his side, for his pennon was in the breeze once more.
Sir NigelArthur Conan Doyle
The banner of the Cid was green, Miss Adister: or else it's his pennon that was.
The Celt and Saxon, CompleteGeorge Meredith
The Pennon is a small, narrow flag, forked or swallow-tailed at its extremity.
The Flags of the WorldF. Edward Hulme
pennon
- a long flag, often tapering and rounded, divided, or pointed at the end, originally a knight's personal flag
- a small tapering or triangular flag borne on a ship or boat
- a poetic word for wing
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Word Origin
C14: via Old French ultimately from Latin penna feather
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for pennon
n.
long, narrow flag (often triangular or swallow-tailed), late 14c., from Old French penon "feathers of an arrow; streamer, flag, banner," from penne "feather," from Latin penna "feather" (see pen (n.1)).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper