2. A slender cylinder or strip of black lead, 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.
3. Hence, figuratively, an artist's ability or peculiar manner; also, in general, the act or occupation of the artist, descriptive writer, etc.
4. (Opt.)
Defn: An aggregate or collection of rays of light, especially when diverging from, or converging to, a point.
5. (Geom.)
Defn: A number of lines that intersect in one point, the point of intersection being called the pencil point.
6. (Med.)
Defn: A small medicated bougie. 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.
PENCIL
Pen"cil, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Penciled or Pencilled; p. pr. & vb. n.
Penciling or Pencilling.]
Defn: To write or mark with a pencil; to paint or to draw. Cowper.
Where nature pencils butterflies on flowers. Harte.