Dictionary![]() ![]() penPronunciation: (pen), [key] —n., v., penned, pen•ning. —n. 1. any of various instruments for writing or drawing with ink or a similar substance. 2. a detachable metal penpoint, filled by dipping or with a quill; nib. 3. such a penpoint with its penholder. 4. fountain pen. 5. ball-point pen. 6. the pen as the instrument of writing or authorship: The pen is mightier than the sword. 7. a person's style or quality of writing: He writes with a witty, incisive pen. 8. a writer: I leave this story to abler pens. 9. the profession of writing: a master of the pen. 10. Ornith. a. a quill. b. a pinfeather. 11. something resembling or suggesting a feather or quill. 12. Zool.an internal, corneous or chitinous, feather-shaped structure in certain cephalopods, as the squid. —v.t. 1. to write with or as with a pen; put down in writing: to pen an essay. 2. to draw with or as with a pen: to pen a sketch. penPronunciation: (pen), [key] —n., v., penned or pent, pen•ning. —n. 1. a small enclosure for domestic animals. 2. animals so enclosed: We have a pen of twenty sheep. 3. an enclosure used for confinement or safekeeping: We have built several pens to hold our harvest of corn. 4. playpen. 5. See bull pen. 6. a dock having a protective concrete structure overhead, used to service and repair submarines. —v.t. to confine in or as in a pen. penPronunciation: (pen), [key] —n. Slang. penitentiary (def. 1). penPronunciation: (pen), [key] —n. a female swan. pen-var. of pene- before a vowel: penannular. Pen.peninsula. Also,pen. P.E.N.International Association of Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists, and Novelists. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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