quill

US /kwɪl/
UK /kwɪl/
"quill" picture
1.

a main wing or tail feather of a bird

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The artist used a bird's quill to draw fine lines.
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He found a large eagle quill on the forest floor.
:
featherpinion
2.

a pen made from a bird's feather, used for writing before the invention of fountain pens

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She dipped her quill into the inkwell and began to write a letter.
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Ancient scribes often used quills for their manuscripts.
:
feather pen
3.

a sharp, stiff hair or spine, especially of a porcupine or hedgehog

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The porcupine raised its quills in defense.
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Be careful, the hedgehog's quills are very sharp.
:
spinepricklebristle
:
quilling