Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Quill \Quill\, n. [Perhaps fr. F. quille ninepin (see
   {Kayless}); but cf. also G. kiel a quill. MHG. kil, and Ir.
   cuille a quill.]
   1. One of the large feathers of a bird's wing, or one of the
      rectrices of the tail; also, the stock of such a feather.

   2. A pen for writing made by sharpening and splitting the
      point or nib of the stock of a feather; as, history is the
      proper subject of his quill. --Sir H. Wotton.

   3. (Zo["o]l.)
      (a) A spine of the hedgehog or porcupine.
      (b) The pen of a squid. See {Pen}.

   4. (Mus.)
      (a) The plectrum with which musicians strike the strings
          of certain instruments.
      (b) The tube of a musical instrument.

                He touched the tender stops of various quills.
                                                  --Milton.

   5. Something having the form of a quill; as:
      (a) The fold or plain of a ruff.
      (b) (Weaving) A spindle, or spool, as of reed or wood,
          upon which the thread for the woof is wound in a
          shuttle.
      (c) (Mach.) A hollow spindle.

   {Quill bit}, a bit for boring resembling the half of a reed
      split lengthways and having its end sharpened like a
      gouge.

   {Quill driver}, one who works with a pen; a writer; a clerk.
      [Jocose]

   {Quill nib}, a small quill pen made to be used with a holder.
      --Simmonds.