n. & v.
--n.
1. (often attrib.) a an instrument for writing or drawing, usu. consisting of a thin rod of graphite etc. enclosed in a wooden cylinder (a pencil sketch). b a similar instrument with a metal or plastic cover and retractable lead. c a cosmetic in pencil form.
2 (attrib.) resembling a pencil in shape (pencil skirt).
3 Optics a set of rays meeting at a point.
4 Geom. a figure formed by a set of straight lines meeting at a point.
5 a draughtsman's art or style.
--v.tr. (pencilled, pencilling; US penciled, penciling)
1. tint or mark with or as if with a pencil.
2 (usu. foll. by in) a write, esp. tentatively or provisionally (have pencilled in the 29th for our meeting). b (esp. as pencilled adj.) fill (an area) with soft pencil strokes (pencilled in her eyebrows).
Phrases and idioms:
pencil-case a container for pencils etc. pencil-sharpener a device for sharpening a pencil by rotating it against a cutting edge.
Derivatives:
penciller n.
Etymology: ME f. OF pincel ult. f. L penicillum paintbrush, dimin. of peniculus brush, dimin. of penis tail