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Quills: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ–‹๏ธ
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quills

 

[ kwษชlz ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

writing instrument

A quill is a writing instrument made from a bird's feather, typically a large flight feather. Quills were used for writing before the invention of the metal dip pen and later the fountain pen. They were popular in the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods.

Synonyms

feather pen, plume

Examples of usage

  • Jane Austen wrote her novels with a quill.
  • The scribe carefully dipped the quill into the inkwell.
Context #2 | Noun

animal anatomy

A quill is a stiff, sharp, hollow spine of a porcupine or hedgehog. Quills are used for self-defense by these animals and can be raised when threatened.

Synonyms

prickle, spine

Examples of usage

  • The porcupine's quills stood on end when it sensed danger.
  • The hedgehog's quills are sharp and pointy.

Translations

Translations of the word "quills" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น penas

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคชเค‚เค–

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Federn

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ bulu

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟั–ั€'ั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ piรณra

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็พฝๆฏ› (hane)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท plumes

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ plumas

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท tรผyler

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊นƒํ„ธ (gitter)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฑูŠุด (rฤซsh)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ peล™รญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ perie

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็พฝๆฏ› (yว”mรกo)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ perje

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ fjรถรฐur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะฐัƒั‹ั€ัั‹ะฝะดะฐั€ (qauyrsyndar)

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ‘แƒฃแƒ›แƒ‘แƒฃแƒšแƒ˜ (bumbuli)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ lษ™lษ™klษ™r

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ plumas

Word origin

The word 'quill' originated from the Middle English 'quille' which meant a hollow piece of reed used as a pen. It has evolved over time to refer to both the writing instrument made from a feather and the sharp spines of porcupines and hedgehogs. Quills have been an important tool for writing throughout history, especially before the invention of modern pens.

See also: quill.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,311, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.