pencil
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
From Anglo-Norman and Old French pincil (modern pinceau (“paintbrush”)), from Latin diminutive peniculus (“brush”), from noun penis (“tail”) + diminutive suffix -culus.
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Noun
pencil (plural pencils)
- (obsolete) A paintbrush.
- Writing utensil that uses graphite (commonly referred to as lead). Regular pencils usually have a graphite shaft surrounded by wood. Also available in a mechanical version where the graphite length can be adjusted and sharpening is not needed.
[edit] Derived terms
Terms derived from pencil (noun)
[edit] Translations
graphite writing-instrument
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slate writing-instrument
[edit] Verb
pencil (third-person singular simple present pencils, present participle Commonwealth pencilling, US penciling, simple past and past participle Commonwealth pencilled, US penciled)
- to write something using a pencil
- I penciled (BrEn: pencilled) it in my notebook.
- To squeeze something -- such as a meeting, feature, or appointment -- into a tight schedule
- I am very busy today but I can pencil you in at 3 p.m.
- To tentatively make a booking.
[edit] Usage notes
- Particularly in British English, the present and past participles are frequently written with two L's: pencilling, pencilled.
