Pinion \Pin"ion\, n. [OF. pignon a pen, F., gable, pinion (in
   sense 5); cf. Sp. pi[~n]on pinion; fr. L. pinna pinnacle,
   feather, wing. See Pin a peg, and cf. Pen a feather,
   Pennat, Pennon.]
   1. A feather; a quill. --Shak.
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   2. A wing, literal or figurative.
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            Swift on his sooty pinions flits the gnome. --Pope.
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   3. The joint of bird's wing most remote from the body.
      --Johnson.
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   4. A fetter for the arm. --Ainsworth.
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   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.
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   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.
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