pencil
UK[ˈpensl]US[ˈpensl]
n
a long, thin object, usually made of wood, for writing or drawing, consisting of a thin stick of a black or colored substance enclosed in wood or a metal or plastic case
v
to write, draw, or mark something with a pencil
Etymology
the word 'pencil' has a fascinating journey from a concept of a small, delicate tool to the modern writing instrument. it originates from the latin word 'penicillus', meaning a 'little tail' or a 'small brush', which was a diminutive of 'penis' (tail). this term was used for a fine artist's brush. the word passed into old french as 'pincel' with the same meaning. when it entered middle english in the 14th century, it retained the sense of an artist's brush. the meaning shifted to the graphite writing tool we know today in the 16th century, following the discovery of a deposit of solid graphite in england, which was initially used for marking sheep and later carved into sticks. the logic of the word's evolution lies in the continuous association with a slender, pointed instrument used for making marks, transitioning from animal-hair brushes to solid graphite cores.
Analysis
the word 'pencil' is a simplex loanword. it entered english from old french 'pincel', meaning a fine paintbrush, which itself derived from latin 'penicillus', a diminutive of 'penis' meaning 'tail' or 'brush'.
Examples
she always carries a pencil and a small notebook in her pocket.
he penciled a quick sketch of the landscape.
please pencil in the meeting for next tuesday; we can confirm later.