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Antonyms for pencil


Grammar : Noun, verb
Spell : pen-suh l
Phonetic Transcription : ˈpɛn səl



Definition of pencil

Origin :
  • early 14c., "an artist's fine brush of camel hair," from Old French pincel "artist's paintbrush" (13c., Modern French pinceau), from Latin penicillus "painter's brush, hair-pencil," literally "little tail," diminutive of peniculus "brush," itself a diminutive of penis "tail" (see penis). Small brushes formerly were used for writing before modern lead or chalk pencils; meaning "graphite writing implement" apparently evolved late 16c. Derogatory slang pencil-pusher "office worker" is from 1881; pencil neck "weak person" first recorded 1973.
  • As in ray : noun beam; indication
  • As in write : verb put language down on paper
  • As in draw : verb create a likeness in a picture
Example sentences :
  • "This is my address," said the merchant, writing it in pencil, and handing it to Robert.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • With these words, he handed the pencil to the professor and returned to his seat.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • He read with pencil in hand, and he had an elaborate system of marking a book.
  • Extract from : « The Grand Old Man » by Richard B. Cook
  • In this instance, his drawings throughout are in pencil, and he is his own topographer.
  • Extract from : « De Libris: Prose and Verse » by Austin Dobson
  • She drew it in pencil on an envelope on her way back in the street car.
  • Extract from : « K » by Mary Roberts Rinehart
  • Written in pencil; he could feel the indentations where the writer had borne down.
  • Extract from : « The Leopard Woman » by Stewart Edward White
  • She did not say any more, and he sat at the table, tapping on it with a pencil.
  • Extract from : « The Foolish Lovers » by St. John G. Ervine
  • He was clever with his pencil, and could seize a likeness with astonishing rapidity.
  • Extract from : « Heroes of the Telegraph » by J. Munro
  • Under the superscription, written with a pencil, after she went down.
  • Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson
  • And I saw that the address, scrawled in pencil, was in Anthony's handwriting.
  • Extract from : « It Happened in Egypt » by C. N. Williamson

Synonyms for pencil

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019