Quill (?), n. [Perhaps fr. F. quille ninepin (see Kayless); but cf. also G. kiel a quill. MHG. kil, and Ir. cuille a quill.]
1.
One of the large feathers of a bird's wing, or one of the rectrices of the tail; also, the stock of such a feather.
2.
A pen for writing made by sharpening and splitting the point or nib of the stock of a feather; as, history is the proper subject of his quill. Sir H. Wotton.
3. (Zoöl.)
(a)
A spine of the hedgehog or porcupine.
(b)
The pen of a squid. See Pen.
4. (Mus.)
(a)
The plectrum with which musicians strike the strings of certain instruments.
(b)
The tube of a musical instrument.
He touched the tender stops of various quills.
Milton.
5.
Something having the form of a quill; as:
(a)
The fold or plain of a ruff.
(b) (Weaving)
A spindle, or spool, as of reed or wood, upon which the thread for the woof is wound in a shuttle.
(c) (Mach.)
A hollow spindle.
Quill bit, a bit for boring resembling the half of a reed split lengthways and having its end sharpened like a gouge. --
Quill driver, one who works with a pen; a writer; a clerk. [Jocose] --
Quill nib, a small quill pen made to be used with a holder. Simmonds.
© Webster 1913
Quill, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quilled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quilling.]
1.
To plaint in small cylindrical ridges, called quillings; as, to quill a ruffle.
His cravat seemed quilled into a ruff.
Goldsmith.
2.
To wind on a quill, as thread or yarn. Judd.
© Webster 1913
Quill, n. (Pharm.)
A roll of dried bark; as, a quill of cinnamon or of cinchona.
© Webster 1913