Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Pennant \Pen"nant\, n. [OE. penon, penoun, pynoun, OF. penon, F.
   pennon, fr. L. penna feather. See {Pen} a feather, and cf.
   {Pennon}, {Pinion}.] (Naut.)
   (a) A small flag; a pennon. The {narrow, or long, pennant}
       (called also whip or coach whip) is a long, narrow piece
       of bunting, carried at the masthead of a government
       vessel in commission. The {board pennant} is an oblong,
       nearly square flag, carried at the masthead of a
       commodore's vessel. ``With flags and pennants trimmed.''
       --Drayton.
   (b) A rope or strap to which a purchase is hooked.