/ ˈpensl; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
[ C , U ] a narrow piece of wood, or a metal or plastic case, containing a black or coloured substance, used for drawing or writing :
a pencil drawing
I'll get a pencil and paper.
She scribbled a note in pencil .
coloured pencils
—see also eyebrow pencil , propelling pencil
■ verb
( -ll- , NAmE -l- ) [ vn ] to write, draw or mark sth with a pencil :
a pencilled portrait
A previous owner had pencilled 'First Edition' inside the book's cover.
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PHRASAL VERBS
- pencil sth/sb in
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (denoting a fine paintbrush): from Old French pincel , from a diminutive of Latin peniculus brush, diminutive of penis tail. The verb was originally (early 16th cent.) in the sense paint with a fine brush .