quill

/kwɪl/
verb
  1. To form or gather into narrow, hollow folds or ridges, like a quill.
    • The craft class taught students how to quill strips of paper into shapes.
    • The seamstress quilled the fabric to create a decorative border.
    • She learned to quill paper for her art project.
noun
  1. A large feather from a bird, especially one used for writing with ink in the past.
    • The author dipped the quill into the inkwell and began to write.
    • She bought a decorative quill at the Renaissance fair.
    • Museums often display quills used by famous historical figures.
  2. A pen made from a bird's feather, used for writing before modern pens.
    • He practiced calligraphy with a quill and ink.
    • The old letter was written with a quill, giving it a unique look.
    • The Declaration of Independence was signed with a quill.
  3. One of the sharp spines on a porcupine or hedgehog.
    • A hedgehog's quills are not barbed like a porcupine's.
    • She carefully avoided touching the porcupine's quills.
    • The porcupine raised its quills to defend itself.
Synonyms