quill

¹quill

noun \ˈkwil\

Definition of QUILL

1

a (1) : a bobbin, spool, or spindle on which filling yarn is wound (2) : a hollow shaft often surrounding another shaft and used in various mechanical devices

b : a roll of dried bark <cinnamon quills>

2

a (1) : the hollow horny shaft of a feather — see feather illustration (2) : feather; especially : one of the large stiff feathers of the wing or tail

b : one of the hollow sharp spines of a porcupine or hedgehog

c : ³pen 3

3

: something made from or resembling the quill of a feather; especially : a pen for writing

4

: a float for a fishing line

Origin of QUILL

Middle English quil hollow reed, bobbin; akin to Middle High German kil large feather

First Known Use: 15th century

Rhymes with QUILL

bill, brill, chill, dill, drill, fill, frill, gill, grill, grille, hill, ill, kill, krill, mil, mill, mille, nil, nill, Phil, pill, prill, rill, shill, shrill, sill, skill, spill, squill, still, swill, thill, thrill, til, till, trill, twill, vill, will

²quill

transitive verb

Definition of QUILL

1

: to pierce with quills

2

a : to wind (thread or yarn) on a quill

b : to make a series of small rounded ridges in (cloth)

First Known Use of QUILL

1783