Quill
[kwɪl]
Definition
(noun.) a stiff hollow protective spine on a porcupine or hedgehog.
(noun.) the hollow spine of a feather.
(noun.) pen made from a bird's feather.
Inputed by Jeanine--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) One of the large feathers of a bird's wing, or one of the rectrices of the tail; also, the stock of such a feather.
(n.) A pen for writing made by sharpening and splitting the point or nib of the stock of a feather; as, history is the proper subject of his quill.
(n.) A spine of the hedgehog or porcupine.
(n.) The pen of a squid. See Pen.
(n.) The plectrum with which musicians strike the strings of certain instruments.
(n.) The tube of a musical instrument.
(n.) Something having the form of a quill
(n.) The fold or plain of a ruff.
(n.) A spindle, or spool, as of reed or wood, upon which the thread for the woof is wound in a shuttle.
(n.) A hollow spindle.
(v. t.) To plaint in small cylindrical ridges, called quillings; as, to quill a ruffle.
(v. t.) To wind on a quill, as thread or yarn.
Checked by Leda
Definition
n. a reed-pen: the feather of a goose or other bird used as a pen hence a pen generally: the profession of letters: anything like a quill: the hollow basal stem of a feather: one of the large hollow sharp spines (modified hairs) of the hedgehog porcupine &c.: the reed on which weavers wind their thread: the instrument for striking the strings of certain instruments: the tube of a musical instrument: the hollow shaft or mandril of the seal-engraver's lathe: a train for igniting a blast: bark in a cylindrical roll.—v.t. to plait with small ridges like quills: to wind on a quill: to pluck out quills from.—ns. Quill′-driv′er (slang) one who works with a quill or pen a clerk; Quill′-driv′ing writing.—adj. Quilled furnished with quills or formed into a quill.—ns. Quill′-nib a quill-pen shortened for use with a holder; Quill′-turn the machine in which a weaver's quill is turned; Quill′-work embroidery with porcupine quills done by the North American Indians; Quill′-wort any plant of the genus Isoé›es esp. Isoé›es lacustris.—In the quill (Shak.) perhaps=penned though others interpret 'in form and order like a quilled ruff.'
n. a fold of a plaited or fluted ruff.—v.t. to flute: form with rounded ridges.—adj. Quilled crimped fluted.—n. Quill′ing a narrow bordering of plaited lace or ribbon.
Typed by Beryl
Unserious Contents or Definition
To dream of quills, denotes to the literary inclined a season of success. To dream of them as ornaments, signifies a rushing trade, and some remuneration. For a young woman to be putting a quill on her hat, denotes that she will attempt many conquests, and her success will depend upon her charms.
Checked by Karol
Unserious Contents or Definition
n. An implement of torture yielded by a goose and commonly wielded by an ass. This use of the quill is now obsolete but its modern equivalent the steel pen is wielded by the same everlasting Presence.
Checker: Wayne
Examples
- To cleanse use well-made brushes, soft quill, or wood toothpicks, an antacid styptic tooth wash, and precipitated chalk. William K. David. Secrets of Wise Men, Chemists and Great Physicians.
- I've swallered several; and one had a tolerable quill, said Sam placidly from the corner. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- There was another old woman watching by the bed; the parish apothecary's apprentice was standing by the fire, making a toothpick out of a quill. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- The Count walked to a writing-table near the window, opened his desk, and took from it several quires of paper and a bundle of quill pens. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- But I was then deeply absorbed in my letters, and I write with a heavy hand and a quill pen, scraping and scratching noisily over the paper. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- The method of supporting the wires on tall posts was then adopted by Mr. Cooke, the wires being insulated from the posts at the points of suspension, by passing them through quills. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- I had some quills to make into pens. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- These messages were placed on delicate films, rolled up, and packed in quills. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
Edited by Estelle