Panache
[pə-nash]
Part of speech: noun
Origin: Middle French, 16th century
1.
Flamboyance or a confident flair
2.
A decorative plume or tuft of feathers, especially on a headdress or helmet
Examples of Panache in a sentence
"Met Gala attendees are known for their creative evening wear, which they show off with fearless panache."
"The knight's helmet was crowned with an extravagant red panache."
About Panache
Usually reserved for events like tournaments or other occasions, a soldier's panache indicated things like his wealth, position, or family colors. The size and exuberance of a panache was a status symbol. And though usually worn only ceremonially, King Henry IV is remembered for wearing an elaborate white plume into battle as a rallying point for his troops.
Did you Know?
Panache takes flight from its Latin root in pinnaculum to mean "little wing" or, in its more vernacular form, pinna, meaning "feather."
