quill
UK[kwɪl]US[kwɪl]
n
A long, sharp, stiff spine of a porcupine, hedgehog, or similar animal.
n
The hollow stem of a feather, especially the lower part that lacks barbs.
n
(historical) A pen made from a bird's feather, used for writing.
Etymology
The word 'quill' traces its lineage back to the Middle Low German 'quiele', meaning a hollow tube or stalk. This, in turn, is believed to be related to an even older Proto-Germanic source. The core semantic concept has always centered on a hollow, tubular object. This inherent meaning seamlessly bridges the word's application to the hollow shaft of a feather and, by extension, to the writing instrument crafted from it. The association with porcupine spines is a later, analogous development based on the shared physical characteristics of being long, sharp, and hollow.
Analysis
The word 'quill' is a simplex word of Germanic origin. It is not productively formed from smaller, meaningful morphemes in modern English.
Examples
The old manuscript was beautifully inscribed with a goose quill.
The porcupine raised its quills in defense when it felt threatened.
Before the invention of metal nibs, scribes would carefully sharpen their quills.