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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Pencil \Pen"cil\, 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.
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With subtile pencil depainted was this storie.
--Chaucer.
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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}.
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3. Hence, figuratively, an artist's ability or peculiar
manner; also, in general, the act or occupation of the
artist, descriptive writer, etc.
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4. (Opt.) An aggregate or collection of rays of light,
especially when diverging from, or converging to, a point.
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5. (Geom.) A number of lines that intersect in one point, the
point of intersection being called the pencil point.
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6. (Med.) A small medicated bougie.
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{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.
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Pencil \Pen"cil\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Penciled}or {Pencilled};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Penciling} or {Pencilling}.]
To write or mark with a pencil; to paint or to draw.
--Cowper.
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Where nature pencils butterflies on flowers. --Harte.
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{pencil in} to write (a tentative appoinment) on an
appointment calendar, so as to reserve time, but to allow
the appointment to be readily canceled and replaced with
another; -- also used figuratively, with other means of
recording appointments. The notion being that something
written in pencil can be more easily changed than
something written in ink. The phrase is commonly used in
the early stages of organizing a meeting of multiple
persons, before it is known whether all attendees will be
free at the suggested time.
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