Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Quill
Quill
,Noun.
[Perhaps fr. F.
quille
ninepin (see Kayless
); but cf. also G. kiel
a quill. MHG. kil
, and Ir. cuille
a quill.] 1.
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.
2.
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
Sir H. Wotton.
4.
(Mus.)
(a)
The plectrum with which musicians strike the strings of certain instruments.
(b)
The tube of a musical instrument.
He touched the tender stops of various
quills
. Milton.
5.
Something having the form of a quill
; as: (a)
The fold or plain of a ruff.
(b)
(Weaving)
A spindle, or spool, as of reed or wood, upon which the thread for the woof is wound in a shuttle.
(c)
(Mach.)
A hollow spindle.
Quill bit
, a bit for boring resembling the half of a reed split lengthways and having its end sharpened like a gouge.
– Quill driver
, one who works with a pen; a writer; a clerk.
[Jocose]
– Quill nib
, a small quill pen made to be used with a holder.
Simmonds.
Quill
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Quilled
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Quilling
.] 1.
To plaint in small cylindrical ridges, called quillings;
as, to
. quill
a ruffleHis cravat seemed
quilled
into a ruff. Goldsmith.
2.
To wind on a quill, as thread or yarn.
Judd.
Webster 1828 Edition
Quill
QUILL
,Noun.
1.
The large strong feather of a goose or other large fowl; used much for writing pens. Hence,2.
The instrument of writing; as the proper subject of his quill.3.
The spine or prickle of a porcupine.4.
A piece of small reed or other hollow plant, or which weavers wind the thread which forms the woof of cloth.5.
The instrument with which musicians strike the strings of certain instruments.To carry a good quill, to write well.
QUILL
,Verb.
T.
[In the United States, this word is generally, if not universally, pronounced twilled.]