1. n. & v.
--n.
1. an instrument for writing or drawing with ink, orig. consisting of a shaft with a sharpened quill or metal nib, now more widely applied.
2 a (usu. prec. by the) the occupation of writing. b a style of writing.
3 Zool. the internal feather-shaped cartilaginous shell of certain cuttlefish, esp. squid.
--v.tr. (penned, penning)
1. write.
2 compose and write.
Phrases and idioms:
pen and ink n.
1. the instruments of writing.
2 writing. pen-and-ink adj. drawn or written with ink. pen-feather a quill-feather of a bird's wing. pen-friend a friend communicated with by letter only. pen-light a small electric torch shaped like a fountain-pen. pen-name a literary pseudonym. pen-pal colloq. pen-friend. pen-pusher colloq. derog. a clerical worker. pen-pushing colloq. derog. clerical work. put pen to paper begin writing.
Etymology: ME f. OF penne f. L penna feather 2. n. & v.
--n.
1. a small enclosure for cows, sheep, poultry, etc.
2 a place of confinement.
3 an enclosure for sheltering submarines.
4 a Jamaican farm or plantation.
--v.tr. (penned, penning) (often foll. by in, up) enclose or shut in a pen.
Etymology: OE penn, of unkn. orig. 3. n. a female swan.
Etymology: 16th c.: orig. unkn. 4. n. US sl. PENITENTIARY n. 1.
Etymology: abbr.