Pinion Meaning
/ˈpɪnjən/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA wing.
nounThe joint of a bird's wing farthest from the body.
Sentence Examples
The gear system consists of a large wheel and a small pinion.
They decided to pinion the bird's wings to prevent it from flying.
The mechanic replaced the damaged pinion in the gearbox.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The mechanic replaced the damaged ____ in the gearbox to restore proper rotation.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The small ____ gear engaged with the larger rack to convert rotational motion into linear movement.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English pynyon, from Old French pignon, from Latin penna (“feather”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Therefore do nimble Pinion'd Doues draw Loue,
And therefore hath the wind-ſwift Cupid wings:"
— c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene v], page 63, column 1:
"See o'er the Alps his tow'ring Pinions ſoar,
Where never Engliſh Poet reach'd before."
— 1712 May, [Alexander Pope], “The Rape of the Locke. An Heroi-comical Poem.”, in Miscellaneous Poems and Translations. […], London: […] Bernard Lintott […], →OCLC, canto I, page 153:
"Press on! for it is godlike to unloose The spirit, and forget yourself in thought; Bending a pinion for the deeper sky, And, in the very fetters of your flesh, Mating with the pure essences of heaven!"
— 1826, N. P. Willis, Poem delivered at the Departure of the Senior Class of Yale College:
"Never seraph spread a pinion / Over fabric half so fair."
— 1839 September, Edgar A[llan] Poe, “The Fall of the House of Usher”, in William E[vans] Burton and Edgar A. Poe, editors, Burton’s Gentleman’s Magazine, and American Monthly Review, volume V, number III, Philadelphia, Pa.: William E. Burton, […], →OCLC, page 148:
"An argument that he is pluckt, when hither / He ſends ſo poore a Pinnion of his Wing,"
— c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene xii], page 356, column 2:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The mechanic replaced the damaged ____ in the gearbox to restore proper rotation.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The small ____ gear engaged with the larger rack to convert rotational motion into linear movement.