Quill: meaning, definitions and examples

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quill

 

[ kwษชl ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

writing instrument

A quill is a pen made from a bird's feather, typically a large flight feather. Quills were used for writing before the invention of the metal nib. They were popular in the medieval ages and were the primary writing instrument for scribes and scholars.

Synonyms

feather pen, plume

Examples of usage

  • She dipped the quill into the inkwell before writing a letter.
  • The scribe carefully trimmed the quill to ensure smooth writing.
Context #2 | Noun

porcupine's spine

In some regions, a quill refers to a spine or a spike, especially that of a porcupine. These quills are known for their sharpness and were used as tools or weapons by indigenous tribes.

Synonyms

spike, spine

Examples of usage

  • The porcupine raised its quills in defense.
  • The indigenous people crafted arrows using porcupine quills.

Translations

Translations of the word "quill" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น pena

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เคฒเคฎ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Feder

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ bulu

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะตั€ะพ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ piรณro

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็พฝๆ น

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท plume

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ pluma

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท tรผy

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊นƒํ„ธ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฑูŠุดุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ pero

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ pero

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็พฝๆฏ›

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ pero

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ fjรถรฐur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะฐัƒั‹ั€ัั‹ะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒคแƒ แƒ—แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ lษ™lษ™k

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ pluma

Word origin

The word 'quill' originated from Middle English 'quille' or 'quylle,' which came from Old French 'quille' meaning 'shaft, stick.' The use of quills as writing instruments dates back to ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians and Greeks. The popularity of quills declined with the invention of the metal nib pen in the 19th century.

See also: quills.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,431, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.