pencil

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Derived terms 1.3.2 Translations 1.3.3 See also 1.4 Verb 1.4.1 Usage notes 1.4.2 Derived terms 1.4.3 Translations

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Anglo-Norman and Old French pincil (modern pinceau (“‘paintbrush’”)), from a diminutive of Latin peniculus (“‘brush’”), diminutive of Latin penis (“‘tail’”).

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /pɛnsəl/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Rhymes: -ɛnsəl

[edit] Noun

pencil (plural pencils)

1. (obsolete) A paintbrush.
2. 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

charcoal pencil coloured pencil golf pencil grease pencil lead pencil mechanical pencil number 2 pencil

pencil lead pencil pusher pencil sharpener pencil skirt pencil stub smencil

[edit] Translations

[edit] See also

• Pencil on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

[edit] Verb

to pencil (third-person singular simple present pencils, present participle penciling, simple past and past participle penciled)

1. to write something using a pencil

   I penciled it in my notebook.

2. 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.

3. 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’”.

[edit] Derived terms

• pencil in

[edit] Translations