- Stylosanthes elatior
- 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.
[1913 Webster]
With subtile pencil depainted was this storie. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
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}. [1913 Webster]
3. Hence, figuratively, an artist's ability or peculiar manner; also, in general, the act or occupation of the artist, descriptive writer, etc. [1913 Webster]
4. (Opt.) An aggregate or collection of rays of light, especially when diverging from, or converging to, a point. [1913 Webster]
5. (Geom.) A number of lines that intersect in one point, the point of intersection being called the pencil point. [1913 Webster]
6. (Med.) A small medicated bougie. [1913 Webster]
{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. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
