Pinioning Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿฆพ
Add to dictionary

pinioning

[หˆpษชn.jษ™n ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

physical restraint

To pinion means to restrain someone by tying or holding their limbs, typically the arms. It often refers to preventing movement or escape by immobilizing the person being pinioned.

Synonyms

bind, immobilize, restrain.

Examples of usage

  • The captors were pinioning the hostage's arms.
  • He was pinioned to the chair during the interrogation.
  • The bird was pinioned at the rescue center to treat its injured wing.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • In classic literature, pinioning often symbolizes the loss of freedom, with characters bound by authority or circumstance.
  • Edgar Allan Poe used the concept of pinioning metaphorically in his works to depict suffering and entrapment.
  • Shakespeare's plays often feature characters that pinion others as a way to illustrate power dynamics.

Psychology

  • The act of pinioning can evoke feelings of helplessness, often examined in psychology as a factor in understanding dominance and control.
  • Symbols of restraint, like pinioning, can trigger a fight-or-flight response, affecting individual behavior in stressful situations.
  • In therapy, discussing themes of being pinioned can help individuals explore feelings of vulnerability and recovery.

Pop Culture

  • In movies, pinioning is a common trope where heroes tie up villains to prevent their escape.
  • Superhero comics frequently depict characters pinioning each other in dramatic battles to symbolize strength and control.
  • Pinioning appears in dance performances, often illustrating the struggle between freedom and restraint.

Military

  • In military contexts, pinioning can refer to restraining enemy combatants to immobilize them during capture operations.
  • Historical strategies often involved pinioning as a way to control prisoners during warfare, reflecting broader themes of power and submission.
  • Certain martial arts include techniques that resemble pinioning, focusing on securing an opponentโ€™s limbs to gain an advantage.

Origin of 'pinioning'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'pinion' comes from the Old French 'pignon,' meaning 'wing' or 'feather.'
  • It originally referred to the wings of a bird, reflecting the action of binding or restraining.
  • In the 14th century, the term evolved to also mean 'to restrain' or 'to incapacitate.'

The term 'pinion' derives from the late Middle English, originating from the Old French term 'pignon' meaning 'wing' or 'feather'. The evolution of its meaning shifted towards restraint, likely as it was often used in the context of binding the wings of birds to prevent them from flying. Over time, it has retained the essence of limitation and constraint, coming to denote any act of physically binding or restricting movement. In some contexts, it can be used metaphorically to describe curtailing someone's freedom or agency.


Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,149, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.