Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Pinion
Pin′ion
,Noun.
(Zool.)
A moth of the genus
Lithophane
, as Lithophane antennata
, whose larva bores large holes in young peaches and apples. Pin′ion
,Noun.
1.
A feather; a quill.
Shak.
2.
A wing, literal or figurative.
Swift on his sooty
pinions
flits the gnome. Pope.
3.
The joint of bird’s wing most remote from the body.
Johnson.
4.
A fetter for the arm.
Ainsworth.
5.
(Mech.)
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. Lantern pinion
. See under
– Lantern
. Pinion wire
, wire fluted longitudinally, for making the pinions of clocks and watches. It is formed by being drawn through holes of the shape required for the leaves or teeth of the pinions.
Pin′ion
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Pinioned
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Pinioning
.] 1.
To bind or confine the wings of; to confine by binding the wings.
Bacon.
2.
To disable by cutting off the pinion joint.
Johnson.
3.
To disable or restrain, as a person, by binding the arms, esp. by binding the arms to the body.
Shak.
Her elbows
pinioned
close upon her hips. Cowper.
4.
Hence, generally, to confine; to bind; to tie up.
“Pinioned up by formal rules of state.” Norris.
Webster 1828 Edition
Pinion
PINION
,Noun.
1.
The joint of a fowl's wing, remotest from the body.2.
A fether; a quill.3.
A wing. Hope humbly then, on trembling pinions soar.
4.
The tooth of a smaller wheel, answering to that of a larger.5.
Fetters or bands for the arms.PINION
,Verb.
T.
1.
To confine by binding the wings.2.
To cut off the first joint of the wing.3.
To bind or confine the arm or arms to the body.4.
To confine; to shackle; to chain; as, to be pinioned by formal rules of state.5.
To bind; to fasten to.