quill

n.

1. The hollow stemlike main shaft of a feather. Also called calamus.
2. Any of the larger wing or tail feathers of a bird.
3. A writing pen made from the shaft of a feather.
4. Music.
   1. A plectrum for a stringed instrument of the clavichord type.
   2. A pipe having a hollow stem.
5. A toothpick made from the stem of a feather.
6. One of the sharp hollow spines of a porcupine or hedgehog.
7. A spindle or bobbin around which yarn is wound in weaving.
8. A hollow shaft that rotates on a solid shaft when gears are engaged.

tr.v., quilled, quill·ing, quills.

1. To wind (thread or yarn) onto a quill.
2. To make or press small ridges in (fabric).

[Middle English quil.]

The shaft of a bird's feather (1).

• q. suture technique — a secure, external method of closing the vulva against prolapse; now obsolete. A vertically placed piece of rubber tubing on either side of the vulva is encircled in a row of four or five horizontal mattress sutures.

A cynical view of the world by Ambrose Bierce

n.

An implement of torture yielded by a goose and commonly wielded by an ass. This use of the quill is now obsolete, but its modern equivalent, the steel pen, is wielded by the same everlasting Presence.

---

IN BRIEF: A large stiff feather. Also: A pen made from a feather.

A quill was used for signing the important document in 1776.

As a writing instrument often associated with refinement and gentility, the quill can symbolize superior social status or prestige, sophistication or style, false delicacy or affectation, and belles lettres, among others. In a dream it may provide inspiration to write about thoughts and dreams.

---

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

Dansk (Danish)
n. - fjer, pennefjer, pen, pindsvinepig, spole, hulaksel
v. tr. - pibe, kruse

Nederlands (Dutch)
veer, spoel, schacht, staartpen, ganzenpen, (mv) stekels (van stekelvarken), fluit, dobber, rolvormige plooien in aanbrengen, op een spoel winden, steken met stekels

Français (French)
n. - penne, plume, tuyau de plume, piquant (de porc-épic), plume d'oie
v. tr. - enrouler (fil), gaufrer, plisser

Deutsch (German)
n. - Schwanzfeder, Federkiel, Stachel, Schwimmer, Panflöte
v. - kräuseln

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - κάλαμος, κοίλο στέλεχος φτερού, γραφίδα ή πένα φτερού, αγκάθι σκαντζόχοιρου, πένα (κιθάρας κ.λπ.)
v. - πτυχώνω, πλισάρω

Italiano (Italian)
penna, galleggiante

Português (Portuguese)
n. - pena de ave (f), eixo oco (m)
v. - dobrar, enrolar

Русский (Russian)
перо

Español (Spanish)
n. - pluma, púa, flotador
v. tr. - desplumar, pelar, rizar

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - vingpenna, spole (på fjäder), gåspenna, tandpetare, flöte, plektrum, piggsvinspigg, spole (vävn.), stång, rulle (t ex kanel), herdepipa (poet.)
v. - vecka, pipa (sömnad.), spola upp

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
羽茎, 鹅毛笔, 大翎毛, 刺穿

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 羽莖, 鵝毛筆, 大翎毛
v. tr. - 刺穿

한국어 (Korean)
n. - (새의) 깃, 깃펜, 바늘, 이쑤시개, 갈대 피리
v. tr. - 관 모양의 주름을 잡다, 실을 실패에 감다

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 羽, 鵞ペン, 針

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) ريشه, بكرة, قلم, الجز العائم في صنارة السمك (فعل) وخز بالريشه‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮עט נוצה, נוצת כנף או זנב ארוכה, קוץ של קיפוד, קנה הנוצה, חליל העשוי מקנה חלול‬
v. tr. - ‮עיצב בצורת גליל, סלסל‬

If you are unable to view some languages clearly, click here.

To select your translation preferences click here.

quill	quill com
Quill Pen	Fisher Quill Pen