I. ˈkwil noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English quil; akin to Middle High German kil quill (feather), Low German quiele
1.
a.
(1) : a bobbin, spool, or spindle on which filling yarn is wound before insertion into a shuttle in the process of weaving
(2) : a hollow shaft often surrounding another shaft and used in various mechanical devices
b.
(1) : a hollow stem (as a reed) used for producing musical tones
(2) : panpipe
(3) : whistle
c. : a roll of dried bark
a quill of cinnamon
2.
a.
(1) : the hollow horny barrel of a feather
(2) : a bird's feather ; especially : one of the large stiff feathers of a bird's wing or tail
b. : one of the hollow sharp spines of a porcupine or hedgehog
3. : one of various articles made from or resembling the quill of a feather: as
a. : a pen for writing
b. : a plectrum for plucking the strings of a harpsichord, lute, or similar instrument
c. : toothpick
d. : quill fly
4. : a float for a fishline
5. : something in its truest, purest, or best state : the real thing : mccoy — usually used with pure
fine old liquor that was the pure quill
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1.
a. : to remove quills from
b. : to pierce with or as if with quills
2.
a. : to wind (thread or yarn) on a quill
b. : to make a series of small rounded ridges in (cloth)