panache

[ puh-nash, -nahsh ]

noun

1. a grand or flamboyant manner; verve; style; flair:

   The actor who would play Cyrano must have panache.

2. an ornamental plume of feathers, tassels, or the like, especially one worn on a helmet or cap.
3. Architecture. the surface of a pendentive.

panache

/ -ˈnɑːʃ; pəˈnæʃ /

noun

1. a dashing manner; style; swagger

   he rides with panache

2. a feathered plume on a helmet

Word History and Origins

Origin of panache¹

First recorded in 1545–55; variant (after French ) of pennache, from Middle French, from early Italian pennachio, from Late Latin pinnāculum, diminutive of pinna “wing”; identical in form with pinnāculum “roof gable, peak”; pinnacle

Word History and Origins

Origin of panache¹

C16: via French from Old Italian pennacchio, from Late Latin pinnāculum feather, from Latin pinna feather; compare Latin pinnāculum pinnacle