quill / kwil/ • n. 1. (also quill feather) any of the main wing or tail feathers of a bird. ∎  the hollow shaft of a feather, esp. the lower part or calamus that lacks barbs. ∎  (also quill pen) a pen made from a main wing or tail feather of a large bird by pointing and slitting the end of the shaft. 2. an object in the form of a thin tube, in particular: ∎  the hollow sharp spines of a porcupine, hedgehog, or other spiny mammal. ∎  (quills) inf., dated panpipes. ∎  a weaver’s spindle.• v. [tr.] 1. form (fabric) into small cylindrical folds.2. pierce or cover (fabric or bark) with quills.

Quill

a roll of something resembling the shape of a quill; used in the phrase in a quill, i.e., in a body, in combination, or in concert.

Examples : quill of dried bark, 1797; of cinnamon leaves; of females, 1690; of ropes, 1588.

quill †hollow stem or reed XV; pipe, tube XV; tube or barrel of a feather, esp. as used for writing XVI; spine of the porcupine XVII. of uncert. orig.; cf. synon. (M)LG. quiele, MHG. kil (G. kiel).