ġewnaħ

Maltese[edit]

Back-formation from the plural ġwienaħ, itself from Arabic جَوَانِح (jawāniḥ), as if from a four-radical *جَوْنَح (*jawnaḥ), but actually plural of جَانِح (jāniḥ, “side, wing”). Compare also جَنَاح (janāḥ).

ġewnaħ m (dual ġwinħajn or ġwenħajn, plural ġwienaħ or ġnieħ, diminutive ġwejnaħ)

(anatomy) wing
- c. 2015, Il-Bibbja : il-Kotba Mqaddsa, 5th edition, Valletta: Ghaqda Biblika Maltija, →OCLC, Il-Ktieb tal-Eżodu 19:4:
  Rajtu intom x’għamilt lill-Eġizzjani, u kif lilkom ġarrejtkom fuq il-ġwienaħ tal-ajkli u ressaqtkom lejja.
  New International Version translation: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.
wing (part of an aircraft)
flank, side
(architecture) spandrel
(figuratively) protection