pencil

n. [ OF. pincel, F. pinceau, L. penicillum, penicillus, equiv. to peniculus, dim. of penis a tail. Cf. Penicil. ] 1. A small, fine brush of hair or bristles used by painters for laying on colors. [ 1913 Webster ]

With subtile pencil depainted was this storie. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A slender cylinder or strip of black lead, graphite, colored chalk, slate etc., or such a cylinder or strip inserted in a small wooden rod intended to be pointed, or in a case, which forms a handle, -- used for drawing or writing. See Graphite. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Hence, figuratively, an artist's ability or peculiar manner; also, in general, the act or occupation of the artist, descriptive writer, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Opt.) An aggregate or collection of rays of light, especially when diverging from, or converging to, a point. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Geom.) A number of lines that intersect in one point, the point of intersection being called the pencil point. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Med.) A small medicated bougie. [ 1913 Webster ]

Pencil case, a holder for pencil lead. --
Pencil flower (Bot.), an American perennial leguminous herb (Stylosanthes elatior). --
Pencil lead, a slender rod of black lead, or the like, adapted for insertion in a holder. [ 1913 Webster ]