penna- +
(Latin: feather, feathers; by extension in some situations, wing, wings)
2. Oblique fibers that converge on both sides of a central tendon.
Applied to birds which can not fly, because of their short wings; such as, the ostrich, cassowary, and emu.
The cassowary is a large black, flightless bird, with colorful wattles and a large bony head shield, that resembles an ostrich or emu. It is native to northeastern Australia and New Guinea.
Wattles refer to the fleshy wrinkled and often brightly colored fold of skin hanging from the neck, chin, or throat, of certain birds (chickens and turkeys) or lizards.
2. Etymology: from early 20th century, French, literally "feathering", as of an arrow.
Until the invention of steel pens late in the eighteenth century; and long afterward, until the quality was improved and the price lowered, sharpened quills had been in use since about the eighth century A.D.
As the point of the quill became dulled with use, a new point could be made with a sharp knife; and so, we also inherited the term, penknife.
Before the unknown inventor discovered that a penna, or goose quill, could be sharpened for use, the chief writing implement was the calamus, or "sharpened reed", dating back to classic Greek use.
Pennaceous feathers have a central shaft (or rachis, "main axis or shaft") with vanes branching off to either side.
These vanes are also called "barbs", that are connected to one another with barbules (pointed projections), or tiny strands that criss-cross to form a kind of mesh that holds all the barbs together and with each other.
2. A pennant, banner, or flag.
3. A pinion; a wing.
4. Etymology: from Middle English, from Old French penon, "streamer, feather of an arrow", from Latin penna, "feather".
2. In the shape of a wing.
3. Having feathers or wings.
2. A pennant.
3. A wing or pinion.
3. A bird's wing, especially the tip of the wing where the stiff flight feathers are found, containing the carpus, metacarpus, and phalanx bones.
2. Divided in a feathery manner.
3. Of a compound leaf, having leaflets on each side of an axis or midrib.
4. Having similar parts arranged on each side of a common axis; that is, with lateral processes.
Related "feather, feather-like; soft down, plumage" word units: pinni-, pin-; plum-, -plume; pterido-; ptero-; ptilo-.