Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Pencil
Pen′cil
,Noun.
[OF.
pincel
, F. pinceau
, L. penicillum
, penicillus
, equiv. to peniculus
, dim. of penis
a tail. Cf. Penicil
.] 1.
A small, fine brush of hair or bristles used by painters for laying on colors.
With subtile
pencil
depainted was this storie. Chaucer.
2.
A slender cylinder or strip of black lead, graphite, colored chalk, slate etc., or such a cylinder or strip inserted in a small wooden rod intended to be pointed, or in a case, which forms a handle, – used for drawing or writing. See
Graphite
. 3.
Hence, figuratively, an artist’s ability or peculiar manner; also, in general, the act or occupation of the artist, descriptive writer, etc.
4.
(Opt.)
An aggregate or collection of rays of light, especially when diverging from, or converging to, a point.
5.
(Geom.)
A number of lines that intersect in one point, the point of intersection being called the pencil point.
6.
(Med.)
A small medicated bougie.
Pencil case
, a holder for pencil lead.
– Pencil flower
(Bot.)
, an American perennial leguminous herb (
– Stylosanthes elatior
). Pencil lead
, a slender rod of black lead, or the like, adapted for insertion in a holder.
Pen′cil
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Penciled
or Pencilled
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Penciling
or Pencilling
.] To write or mark with a pencil; to paint or to draw.
Cowper.
Where nature
pencils
butterflies on flowers. Harte.
Webster 1828 Edition
Pencil
PEN'CIL
,Noun.
1.
A small brush used by painters for laying on colors. The proper pencils are made of fine hair or bristles, as of camels, badgers or squirrels, or of the down of swans, inclosed in a quill. The larger pencils, made of swine's bristles, are called brushes.2.
A pen formed of carburet of iron or plumbago, black lead or red chalk, with a point at one end, used for writing and drawing.3.
Any instrument of writing without ink.4.
An aggregate or collection of rays of light.PEN'CIL
,Verb.
T.