Definition of quill Quill

/kwɪˈl/ - [kwil] - quill

We found 34 definitions of quill from 6 different sources.

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What does quill mean?

WordNet

WordNet by Princeton University

Noun

Plural: quills

quill - a stiff hollow protective spine on a porcupine or hedgehog
  spine a sharp rigid animal process or appendage; as a porcupine quill or a ridge on a bone or a ray of a fish fin
  porcupine, hedgehog relatively large rodents with sharp erectile bristles mingled with the fur
quill - the hollow spine of a feather
  calamus, shaft
  rib support resembling the rib of an animal
quill - pen made from a bird's feather
  quill pen
quill - any of the larger wing or tail feathers of a bird
  flight feather, pinion, quill feather
  plumage, feather, plume turning an oar parallel to the water between pulls
  wing a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)
  primary feather, primary quill, primary a preliminary election where delegates or nominees are chosen
= synonym
= antonym
= related word

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Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

  • quill (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.
  • quill (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.
  • quill (n.)
    A spine of the hedgehog or porcupine.
  • quill (n.)
    The pen of a squid. See Pen.
  • quill (n.)
    The plectrum with which musicians strike the strings of certain instruments.
  • quill (n.)
    The tube of a musical instrument.
  • quill (n.)
    Something having the form of a quill
  • quill (n.)
    The fold or plain of a ruff.
  • quill (n.)
    A spindle, or spool, as of reed or wood, upon which the thread for the woof is wound in a shuttle.
  • quill (n.)
    A hollow spindle.
  • quill (v. t.)
    To plaint in small cylindrical ridges, called quillings; as, to quill a ruffle.
  • quill (v. t.)
    To wind on a quill, as thread or yarn.

OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω

  • quill
    A writing implement, made from a bird's feather.
  • quill
    Part of the central axis of a feather, which bears no barbs and which is implanted in the skin.

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

  • quill
    kwil, 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. [Fr. quille, a keel.]
  • quill
    kwil, 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 Isoëtes, esp. Isoëtes lacustris.—In the quill (Shak.), perhaps=penned, though others interpret 'in form and order like a quilled ruff.' [Explained by Skeat as orig. a stalk, hence anything pointed, O. Fr. quille, a peg—Old High Ger. kegil or chegil (Ger. kegel), a cone-shaped object, ninepin.]

Part of speech

🔤
  • quill, verb, present, 1st person singular of quill (infinitive).
  • quill, verb (infinitive).
  • quill, noun, singular of quills.

Pronunciation

Word frequency

Quill is...

60% Complete
Very rare
Rare
Normal
Common
Very Common
66% Complete
Rare
Normal
Common

Sign Language

quill in sign language
Sign language - letter Q Sign language - letter Q Sign language - letter U Sign language - letter U Sign language - letter I Sign language - letter I Sign language - letter L Sign language - letter L Sign language - letter L Sign language - letter L