pencil
/ˈpɛnsəl/
noun
Origin
Latin
pēnicillus — little tail (diminutive of pēniculus, a brush)
Overview
Meaning Now
- A writing or drawing instrument consisting of a thin rod of graphite or similar substance, usually encased in a wooden cylinder.
Literal older meaning
little tail
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
pencel
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
Originally referring to a fine-tipped brush used by artists, the term 'pencil' was applied to the graphite-based writing tool after the discovery of large graphite deposits in Borrowdale, England, in the 16th century, which replaced brushes as the standard handheld marking instrument.
Evolution
- Latin
pēnicillus
“a small brush”
Used for painting.
- Old French
pincel
“a fine brush for painting”
- Middle English
pencel
“a fine brush or painter's tool”
- Modern English
pencil
“graphite writing implement”
Shift from brush to lead/graphite core occurred in the 16th century.
Connections
Word parts
pen-
root
tail
-cil
suffix
diminutive
Related across languages
French
pinceau
paintbrush
Italian
pennello
paintbrush
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Related to pencil
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.