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pencil

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The definition of a pencil is a narrow tube-shaped instrument filled with graphite or colored wax that is used for writing and drawing.

(noun)

An example of a pencil is what a student uses for answering questions on a test.

Pencil is defined as to draw or write with an instrument that produces marks which can be erased.

(verb)

An example of pencil is to enter an appointment on a calendar that might have to be erased if the appointment is rescheduled.

See pencil in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

Archaic an artist's small, fine brush
the individual style or ability of an artist
a slender, rod-shaped instrument of wood, metal, etc. with a center stick of graphite, crayon, etc. that is sharpened to a point for marking, writing, and drawing
something shaped or used like a pencil; specif.,
1. a small cosmetic stick as for darkening or redrawing the contours of the eyebrows
2. a stick of some medicated substance: a styptic pencil
a series of lines or rays coming to or spreading out from a point
Math. a set of lines, planes, etc. passing through a given point or points and satisfying a given equation, as
1. all the lines passing through a given point
2. all the planes passing through a given line
3. all the circles lying in a given plane and passing through two fixed points

Origin: ME pencel < MFr pincel < VL *penicellus < L penicillus, a brush < dim. of penis, a tail, penis: mod. sense & form infl. by pen

transitive verb penciled or pencilled, penciling or pencilling

to mark, write, or draw with or as with a pencil
to use a pencil on

Related Forms:

penciler noun or penciller

See pencil in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A narrow, generally cylindrical implement for writing, drawing, or marking, consisting of a thin rod of graphite, colored wax, or similar substance encased in wood or held in a mechanical holder.
Something shaped or used like a pencil, especially a narrow medicated or cosmetic stick: an eyebrow pencil.
a. A style or technique in drawing or delineating.
b. Descriptive skill: “His characters are drawn with a strong pencil” (Henry Hallam).
c. An artist's brush, especially a fine one.
Physics A beam of radiant energy in the form of a narrow cone or cylinder.
Mathematics A family of geometric objects, such as lines, that have a common property, such as passage through a given line in a given plane.

transitive verb pen·ciled also pen·cilled, pen·cil·ing also pen·cil·ling, pen·cils also pen·cils

To write or produce by using a pencil.
To mark or color with or as if with a pencil.

Phrasal Verb: pencil in To schedule tentatively: penciled in a staff meeting for 3:00. To schedule a tentative appointment with: penciled him in for lunch next Monday.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English pencel, artist's brush

Origin: , from Old French pincel, peincel

Origin: , from Vulgar Latin *pēnicellus

Origin: , alteration of Latin pēnicillus

Origin: , diminutive of pēniculus, diminutive of pēnis, tail, brush; see pes- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: