Quill

(kwĭl), n. [N. H. Ger. kiel, M. H. Ger. kīl, allied to Lat. caulis, a stalk, a quill, influenced perhaps by Fr. quille, keel. Cf. KEEL and Ir. cuille, a quill, cuilc, a reed.]

1Sense 1. The large, strong feather of a goose or other large bird;—used for writing-pens, &c.

2Sense 2. Hence, the instrument of writing; a pen; as, the proper subject of his quill. Wotton.

3Sense 3. A spine or prickle, as of a porcupine. “Like quills upon the fretful porcupine.” Shak.

4Sense 4. A piece of small reed, or other hollow plant, on which weavers wind the thread which forms the woof of cloth.

5Sense 5. (Mus.) (a.) The instrument with which musicians strike the strings of certain instruments. (b.) The tube of a musical instrument.

He touched the various stops of different quills. Milton.

6Sense 6. Something having the form of a quill, as the fold or plait of a ruff.

To carry a good quill, to write well.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. QUILLED; p. pr. & vb. n. QUILLING.] 1. To plait, or to form with small ridges like quills or reeds; as, a woolen stuff quilled; to quill a ruffle. 2. To wind on a quill, as thread or yarn. Judd.