Quill
volume
British pronunciation/kwˈɪl/
American pronunciation/ˈkwɪɫ/

Definition & Meaning of "quill"

Quill
01

a sharp, stiff, hollow spine found on the body of porcupines or hedgehogs, serving as a defensive mechanism against predators

quill definition and meaning
02

a writing tool made from a bird feather, typically the large flight feather of a goose or swan, with a sharpened end

What is a "quill"?

A quill is a writing instrument made from the feather of a bird, typically a goose, turkey, or swan. The feather's shaft is shaped into a pen, with the tip sharpened and split to hold ink. Quills were commonly used from the Middle Ages until the 19th century, especially for writing with ink on parchment or paper. The flexibility of the quill allowed writers to create varying line thicknesses depending on the pressure applied. Quills are often associated with historical documents, letters, and literature, and although less commonly used today, they remain a symbol of traditional writing and calligraphy.

example
Example
click on words
In colonial times, people used quills to write letters and documents.
The calligrapher skillfully crafted ornate letters using a quill and ink.
She carefully dipped the quill into the inkwell before composing her poetry.
03

the hollow spine of a feather

04

any of the larger wing or tail feathers of a bird

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