ˈpensl 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). øpencil-case a
container for pencils etc. pencil-sharpener a
device for sharpening a pencil by rotating it
against a
cutting edge. øøpenciller n. [ME f. OF pincel ult. f. L penicillum
paintbrush, dimin. of peniculus
brush, dimin. of
penis tail]
