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Definition of "quill" []

  • The hollow stemlike main shaft of a feather. Also called calamus. (noun)
  • Any of the larger wing or tail feathers of a bird. (noun)
  • A writing pen made from the shaft of a feather. (noun)
  • Music A plectrum for a stringed instrument of the clavichord type. (noun)
  • Music A pipe having a hollow stem. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "quill" in a sentence
  • "Elayne knew she shouldn’t have tried to substitute a chicken feather for the quill from a magical hoopoe bird."
  • "For the next several moments, the retreating howl of the wind and the scratch of her quill were the only noises in the room."
  • "Crossed quills (quill feather pens) would be a Yeoman (clerical job), and a book with a quill is a Personnelman (also clerical)."