nounπShareThe lower shaft of a feather, specifically the region lacking barbs."The artist carefully cleaned the ink from the quill before storing it. "animalpartbirdmaterialwritingChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA pen made from a feather."My grandfather used a quill to write letters to his family. "writingutensilstationeryliteraturehistoryChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareAny pen."He picked up his quill and wrote a poem."writingutensilstationeryitemChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA sharply pointed, barbed, and easily detached needle-like structure that grows on the skin of a porcupine or hedgehog as a defense against predators."The porcupine's quills stood straight up, a warning to the approaching dog. "animalbiologynatureChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA thin piece of bark, especially of cinnamon or cinchona, curled up into a tube."The recipe called for a cinnamon quill to infuse the tea with a warm, spicy flavor. "materialplantChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareThe pen of a squid."The squid used its quill to defend itself from a hungry shark. "animalpartChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareThe plectrum with which musicians strike the strings of certain instruments."The violinist carefully adjusted the quill on her bow before practicing her concerto. "musicutensilChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareThe tube of a musical instrument."The oboe player carefully cleaned the quill of his instrument before his performance. "musicpartChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareSomething 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."The seamstress carefully wound the silk thread onto the quill of the shuttle, preparing it for the intricate weaving. "utensilwritingmachineitemChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo pierce or be pierced with quills."The porcupine's quills pierced the boy's jacket. "writingactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo write."The student carefully quillled his essay for hours. "writingcommunicationliteratureChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo form fabric into small, rounded folds."The seamstress expertly quilled the fabric to create a soft, pleated skirt. "materialstyleappearanceChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo decorate with quillwork."The artist meticulously quillled the birthday card, creating intricate designs with the tiny feathers. "artwritingChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo subject (a woman who is giving birth) to the practice of quilling (blowing pepper into her nose to induce or hasten labor)."The midwife was accused of quilling the expectant mother, hoping to speed up the delivery. "medicinephysiologytraditionfamilyprocesshumanChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading