Word Study 8.pinion v.to hold or tie someone's arms or legs very tightly,so that they cannot move freely My arms were pinioned behind me by the policemen. I struggled to rise but my arms were pinioned. She swung the door against me,pinioning me between it and the wall. 8. pinion v. to hold or tie someone’s arms or legs very tightly, so that they cannot move freely My arms were pinioned behind me by the policemen. I struggled to rise but my arms were pinioned. She swung the door against me, pinioning me between it and the wall. Word Study