pennon

[ pen-uhn ]

noun

1. a distinctive flag in any of various forms, as tapering, triangular, or swallow-tailed, formerly one borne on the lance of a knight.
2. a pennant.
3. any flag or banner.
4. a wing or pinion.

pennon

/ ˈpɛnən /

noun

1. a long flag, often tapering and rounded, divided, or pointed at the end, originally a knight's personal flag
2. a small tapering or triangular flag borne on a ship or boat
3. a poetic word for wing

Other Words From

• pennoned adjective
• un·pennoned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pennon¹

1325–75; Middle English penon < Middle French, augmentative of Old French pene < Latin penna or pinna feather. See pen ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of pennon¹

C14: via Old French ultimately from Latin penna feather

Example Sentences

The Duke's casque was beaten and gory, his long white pennon red-dyed, his horse wounded.

From Project Gutenberg

And straight toward them cantered a merry body of cavaliers and men-at-arms, Louis's broad pennon leading.

From Project Gutenberg

They ceased speaking as the thin pennon of smoke, followed by two tall masts, became visible over the horizon.

From Project Gutenberg

On his lance he bore a red pennon; a tress of my hair served him for a belt, from which hung his sword.

From Project Gutenberg

Penn′oncelle, a small flag like a pennon; Penn′oncier, a knight-bachelor.

From Project Gutenberg