pinion

[ pin-yuh n ]

/ ˈpɪn yən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pinion ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the distal or terminal segment of the wing of a bird consisting of the carpus, metacarpus, and phalanges.

the wing of a bird.

a feather.

the flight feathers collectively.

verb (used with object)

to cut off the pinion of (a wing) or bind (the wings), as in order to prevent a bird from flying.

to disable or restrain (a bird) in such a manner.

to bind (a person's arms or hands) so they cannot be used.

to disable (someone) in such a manner; shackle.

to bind or hold fast, as to a thing: to be pinioned to one's bad habits.

Nearby words

pinheaded, pinhole, pinhole camera, pinhole pupil, piniform, pinion, pinite, pinitol, piniós, pink, pink bollworm

Origin of pinion

1400–50; late Middle English pynyon < Middle French pignon wing, pinion < Vulgar Latin *pinniōn (stem of pinniō), derivative of Latin pinna feather, wing, fin

Related forms

un·pin·ioned, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pinioned

Its horn blared ceaselessly, jammed by the dead body of the driver, Henri Paul, pinioned on the steering column by the impact.
Tina Brown: No, Conspiracy Theorists, Princess Diana Was Not Murdered|Tina Brown|August 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The arms of Deerslayer were not pinioned, and he was left the free use of his hands, his knife having been first removed.
The Deerslayer|James Fenimore Cooper
This was quickly done, for two troopers leaped on Andrew behind and pinioned his arms while he was engaged with four in front.
Hunted and Harried|R.M. Ballantyne
Old though she was, had she not been pinioned, Brunhild would have held her saddle like an Amazon.
The Branding Needle, or The Monastery of Charolles|Eugne Sue

It springs round its victim like a coiled spring, and he is helpless to free himself if his arms happen to be pinioned.
Queensland Cousins|Eleanor Luisa Haverfield
Celia's arms, her waist, her ankles were pinioned; only the bandage over her mouth seemed to be loosening.
At the Villa Rose|A. E. W. Mason

British Dictionary definitions for pinioned (1 of 2)

pinion

/ (ˈpɪnjən) /

noun

mainly poetic a bird's wing

the part of a bird's wing including the flight feathers

verb (tr)

to hold or bind (the arms) of (a person) so as to restrain or immobilize him

to confine or shackle

to make (a bird) incapable of flight by removing that part of (the wing) from which the flight feathers grow

Word Origin for pinion

C15: from Old French pignon wing, from Latin pinna wing

British Dictionary definitions for pinioned (2 of 2)

pinion

/ (ˈpɪnjən) /

noun

a cogwheel that engages with a larger wheel or rack, which it drives or by which it is driven

Word Origin for pinion

C17: from French pignon cogwheel, from Old French peigne comb, from Latin pecten comb; see pecten

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

pinion

noun

verb (used with object)

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Nearby words

Origin of pinion

Related forms

Examples from the Web for pinioned

British Dictionary definitions for pinioned (1 of 2)

pinion

noun

verb (tr)

Word Origin for pinion

British Dictionary definitions for pinioned (2 of 2)

pinion

noun

Word Origin for pinion