Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Pencil?

\Pen"cil\, n. [OF. pincel, F. pinceau, L. penicillum, penicillus, equiv. to peniculus, dim. of penis a tail. Cf. {Penicil}.] 1. A small, fine brush of hair or bristles used by painters for laying on colors. With subtile pencil depainted was this storie. --Chaucer. 2. A slender cylinder or strip of black lead, colored chalk, slate etc., or such a cylinder or strip inserted in a small wooden rod intended to be pointed, or in a case, which forms a handle, -- used for drawing or writing. See {Graphite}. 3. Hence, figuratively, an artist's ability or peculiar manner; also, in general, the act or occupation of the artist, descriptive writer, etc. 4. (Opt.) An aggregate or collection of rays of light, especially when diverging from, or converging to, a point. 5. (Geom.) A number of lines that intersect in one point, the point of intersection being called the pencil point. 6. (Med.) A small medicated bougie. {Pencil case}, a holder for pencil lead. {Pencil flower} (Bot.), an American perennial leguminous herb ({Stylosanthes elatior}). {Pencil lead}, a slender rod of black lead, or the like, adapted for insertion in a holder.
\Pen"cil\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Penciled}or {Pencilled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Penciling} or {Pencilling}.] To write or mark with a pencil; to paint or to draw. --Cowper. Where nature pencils butterflies on flowers. --Harte.