pin

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pin peg OE.; pointed length of stiff wire used as a fastener XIV; (pl.) legs; skittles XVI. Late OE. pinn, corr. to MLG. pin, (M)LG., (M)Du. pinne (Du. pin), OHG. pfinn (MHG. pfinne), Icel. pinni — L. pinna applied to various objects likened to a wing or feather, of uncert. orig.; cf. penna feather, PEN2.
Hence pin vb. XIV. pincushion XVII. pin-feather immature feather. XVII. pin-money allowance made to a woman for dress, etc., typified by the pins used for fastening or adorning garments. XVII. pin-prick XIX.

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