WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Pen"cil
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [OF. pincel, F. pinceau, L. penicillum, penicillus, equiv. to peniculus, dim. of penis a tail. Cf. Penicil.]
Definition : 1. A small, fine brush of hair or bristles used by painters for laying on colors. With subtile pencil depainted was this storie. Chaucer.

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.

3. Hence, figuratively, an artist's ability or peculiar manner; also, in general, the act or occupation of the artist, descriptive writer, etc.

4. (Opt.)

Defn: An aggregate or collection of rays of light, especially when diverging from, or converging to, a point.

5. (Geom.)

Defn: A number of lines that intersect in one point, the point of intersection being called the pencil point.

6. (Med.)

Defn: 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.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Pen"cil
Part of Speech : v.
Definition : Defn: To write or mark with a pencil; to paint or to draw. Cowper. Where nature pencils butterflies on flowers. Harte.

t. [imp. & p. p. Penciled or Pencilled; p. pr. & vb. n. Penciling or Pencilling.]
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913