Background for quill

quill

/kwɪl/

Illustration quill - Image 1

noun

The lower shaft of a feather, specifically the region lacking barbs.

Examples :

"The artist carefully cleaned the ink from the quill before storing it. "

animal part bird material writing

Illustration quill - Image 1

Illustration quill - Image 2

noun

A pen made from a feather.

Examples :

"My grandfather used a quill to write letters to his family. "

writing utensil stationery literature history

Illustration quill - Image 1

noun

Examples :

"He picked up his quill and wrote a poem."

writing utensil stationery item

Illustration quill - Image 1

Illustration quill - Image 2

noun

A sharply pointed, barbed, and easily detached needle-like structure that grows on the skin of a porcupine or hedgehog as a defense against predators.

Examples :

"The porcupine's quills stood straight up, a warning to the approaching dog. "

animal biology nature

Illustration quill - Image 1

noun

A thin piece of bark, especially of cinnamon or cinchona, curled up into a tube.

Examples :

"The recipe called for a cinnamon quill to infuse the tea with a warm, spicy flavor. "

Illustration quill - Image 1

noun

The pen of a squid.

Examples :

"The squid used its quill to defend itself from a hungry shark. "

Illustration quill - Image 1

noun

The plectrum with which musicians strike the strings of certain instruments.

Examples :

"The violinist carefully adjusted the quill on her bow before practicing her concerto. "

Illustration quill - Image 1

noun

The tube of a musical instrument.

Examples :

"The oboe player carefully cleaned the quill of his instrument before his performance. "

Illustration quill - Image 1

noun

Something having the form of a quill, such as the fold or plain of a ruff, or a spindle, or spool, upon which the thread for the woof is wound in a shuttle.

Examples :

"The seamstress carefully wound the silk thread onto the quill of the shuttle, preparing it for the intricate weaving. "

utensil writing machine item

Illustration quill - Image 1

verb

To pierce or be pierced with quills.

Examples :

"The porcupine's quills pierced the boy's jacket. "

Illustration quill - Image 1

verb

Examples :

"The student carefully quillled his essay for hours. "

writing communication literature

Illustration quill - Image 1

verb

To form fabric into small, rounded folds.

Examples :

"The seamstress expertly quilled the fabric to create a soft, pleated skirt. "

material style appearance

Illustration quill - Image 1

verb

To decorate with quillwork.

Examples :

"The artist meticulously quillled the birthday card, creating intricate designs with the tiny feathers. "

Illustration quill - Image 1

verb

To subject (a woman who is giving birth) to the practice of quilling (blowing pepper into her nose to induce or hasten labor).

Examples :

"The midwife was accused of quilling the expectant mother, hoping to speed up the delivery. "

medicine physiology tradition family process human