Quill \Quill\, n. [Perhaps fr. F. quille ninepin (see
Kayless); but cf. also G. kiel a quill. MHG. kil, and Ir.
cuille a quill.]
1. One of the large feathers of a bird's wing, or one of the
rectrices of the tail; also, the stock of such a feather.
2. A pen for writing made by sharpening and splitting the
point or nib of the stock of a feather; as, history is the
proper subject of his quill. --Sir H. Wotton.
3. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A spine of the hedgehog or porcupine.
(b) The pen of a squid. See Pen.
4. (Mus.)
(a) The plectrum with which musicians strike the strings
of certain instruments.
(b) The tube of a musical instrument.
He touched the tender stops of various quills.
--Milton.
5. Something having the form of a quill; as:
(a) The fold or plain of a ruff.
(b) (Weaving) A spindle, or spool, as of reed or wood,
upon which the thread for the woof is wound in a
shuttle.
(c) (Mach.) A hollow spindle.
Quill bit, a bit for boring resembling the half of a reed
split lengthways and having its end sharpened like a
gouge.
Quill driver, one who works with a pen; a writer; a clerk.
[Jocose]
Quill nib, a small quill pen made to be used with a holder.
--Simmonds.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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