quills - Meaning, Image, Examples & Etymology - Learn English Visually

quills

|quills|

/kwɪlz/

(quill)

feather pen

Base Form	Plural
quill	quills

Etymology

Etymology Information

'quill' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'quil,' where it referred to a feather or a reed pen.

Historical Evolution

'quil' transformed into the modern English word 'quill' through Middle English.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'a feather or reed pen,' but over time it evolved to include 'the spines of porcupines or hedgehogs.'

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

the hollow, sharp spines of a porcupine or hedgehog.

The porcupine's quills are its primary defense mechanism.

Synonyms

Noun 2

a pen made from a feather, used historically for writing.

In the past, writers used quills to pen their manuscripts.

Synonyms

Examples

Idioms

Last updated: 2025/01/16 06:51