: a projecting body part (such as a feather, wing, or fin)
b
: the largely cartilaginous projecting portion of the external ear see ear illustration
2
: a leaflet or primary division of a pinnate leaf or frond
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebHumans do have weak vestigial muscles attached to the shell of the ear, called the auricle or pinna, as well as evidence of a vestigial nervous system, which could have functioned to orient the ears. C. Claiborne Ray, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2017
Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from Latin, feather, wing — more at pen