A small, fine brush of hair or bristles used by painters for laying on colors. "With subtile pencil depainted was this storie."
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.
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.) An aggregate or collection of rays of light, especially when diverging from, or converging to, a point.
5.
(Geom.) A number of lines that intersect in one point, the point of intersection being called the pencil point.
6.
(Med.) 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.
