Definitions of pinion [ˈpɪn yən]

Translate pinion to

Definition of 'pinion'

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

1. (n.) pinion
a gear with a small number of teeth, esp. one engaging a rack or larger gear.

2.  pinion
a shaft or spindle cut with teeth engaging a gear.

3. (n.) pinion
the distal or terminal segment of the wing of a bird consisting of the carpus, metacarpus, and phalanges.

4.  pinion
the wing of a bird.

5.  pinion
a feather.

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

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

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

9.  pinion
to bind or hold fast, as to a thing.

Etymology: (1400–50; late ME pynyon < MF pignon wing, pinion < VL *pinniōnem, acc. of *pinniō, der. of L pinna feather, wing, fin)

Definition of 'pinion'

Princeton's WordNet

1. (noun) pinion
a gear with a small number of teeth designed to mesh with a larger wheel or rack

2. (noun) flight feather, pinion, quill, quill feather
any of the larger wing or tail feathers of a bird

3. (verb) pennon, pinion
wing of a bird

4. (verb) pinion, shackle
bind the arms of

5. (verb) pinion
cut the wings off (of birds)

Definition of 'pinion'

Webster Dictionary

1. (noun) pinion
a moth of the genus Lithophane, as L. antennata, whose larva bores large holes in young peaches and apples

2. (noun) pinion
a feather; a quill

3. (noun) pinion
a wing, literal or figurative

4. (noun) pinion
the joint of bird's wing most remote from the body

5. (noun) pinion
a fetter for the arm

6. (noun) pinion
a cogwheel with a small number of teeth, or leaves, adapted to engage with a larger wheel, or rack (see Rack); esp., such a wheel having its leaves formed of the substance of the arbor or spindle which is its axis

7. (verb) pinion
to bind or confine the wings of; to confine by binding the wings

8. (verb) pinion
to disable by cutting off the pinion joint

9. (verb) pinion
to disable or restrain, as a person, by binding the arms, esp. by binding the arms to the body

10. (verb) pinion
hence, generally, to confine; to bind; to tie up

'pinion' - Nearby Entries
pinion pinion and crown wheel pinion and ring gear pinioned pinite pink bollworm pink-and-white everlasting

Citation: Add this definition to your bibliography

MLA Chicago APA

"pinion." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2012. 14 February. 2012. http://www.definitions.net/definition/pinion

Alternative search options for 'pinion'

Search for Synonyms for 'pinion'

Quotes containing the term 'pinion'

Search for Phrases containing the term 'pinion'

Search for Abbreviations containing the term 'pinion'

Search for 'pinion' on

What rhymes with 'pinion'?

NEW:Search for Song lyrics containing the word 'pinion'