noun

1. any of the large, stiff wing or tail feathers of a bird
2. the hollow, horny stem of a feather; calamus
3. any of the spines of a porcupine or hedgehog
4. any of various things made from the quill of a feather, specif., a pen for writing
5. a musical pipe made of a hollow stem, reed, or cane
6. a weaver's spindle or bobbin
7. a hollow shaft in certain mechanical devices
8. Pharmacy a small roll of dried bark, as of cinchona, cinnamon, etc.

Etymology: ME quil, hollow stalk, weaver's quill, prob. < MLowG or MDu, as in LowG quiele, quill of a feather < ? IE base *gwel-, to stick, stab

transitive verb

1. to form with or into quillings
2. to wind (thread or yarn) on a quill (sense )
3. to cover or pierce with quills, as of a porcupine