pencil

Definitions

1. 1.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.
2. 2.Hence, figuratively, an artist's ability or peculiar manner; also, in general, the act or occupation of the artist, descriptive writer, etc.
3. 3.(Opt.) An aggregate or collection of rays of light, especially when diverging from, or converging to, a point.
4. 4.(Geom.) A number of lines that intersect in one point, the point of intersection being called the pencil point.
5. 5.(Med.) A small medicated bougie. 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.
6. 6.To write or mark with a pencil; to paint or to draw. Cowper. Where nature pencils butterflies on flowers. Harte.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Related questions

• What does "pencil" mean?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is pencil.

• What is hence, figuratively, an artist's ability or peculiar manner; also, in general, the act or occupation of the artist, descriptive writer, etc called?
• What is an aggregate or collection of rays of light, especially when diverging from, or converging to, a point called?
• What is a number of lines that intersect in one point, the point of intersection being called the pencil point called?
• What is to write or mark with a pencil; to paint or to draw. Cowper. Where nature pencils butterflies on flowers. Harte called?