pen
1
[ pen ]
/ pɛn /
noun
verb (used with object), penned, pen·ning.
to write with or as with a pen; put down in writing: to pen an essay.
to draw with or as with a pen: to pen a sketch.
Origin of pen
1
1250–1300; Middle English
penne < Old French
penne pen, feather < Late Latin
penna, Latin: feather
OTHER WORDS FROM pen
pen·like, adjective pen·ner, nounWords nearby pen
Definition for pen (2 of 7)
pen
2
[ pen ]
/ pɛn /
noun
verb (used with object), penned or pent, pen·ning.
to confine in or as in a pen.
Origin of pen
2
before 1000; (noun) Middle English
penne, Old English
penn (in compounds); perhaps akin to
pin; (v.) Middle English
pennen, derivative of the noun
Definition for pen (3 of 7)
Origin of pen
3
An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; shortened form
Definition for pen (4 of 7)
pen
4
[ pen ]
/ pɛn /
noun
a female swan.
Origin of pen
4
First recorded in 1540–50; origin uncertain
Definition for pen (5 of 7)
Definition for pen (6 of 7)
Definition for pen (7 of 7)
P.E.N.
International Association of Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists, and Novelists.
Example sentences from the Web for pen
British Dictionary definitions for pen (1 of 6)
pen
1
/ (pɛn) /
noun
an implement for writing or drawing using ink, formerly consisting of a sharpened and split quill, and now of a metal nib attached to a holder
See also ballpoint, fountain pen
the writing end of such an implement; nib
style of writing
the pen
- writing as an occupation
- the written wordthe pen is mightier than the sword
the long horny internal shell of a squid
verb pens, penning or penned
(tr)
to write or compose
Word Origin for pen
Old English
pinne, from Late Latin
penna (quill) pen, from Latin: feather
British Dictionary definitions for pen (2 of 6)
pen
2
/ (pɛn) /
noun
an enclosure in which domestic animals are kept
sheep pen
any place of confinement
a dock for servicing submarines, esp one having a bombproof roof
verb pens, penning, penned or pent
(tr)
to enclose or keep in a pen
Word Origin for pen
Old English
penn, perhaps related to
pin
British Dictionary definitions for pen (3 of 6)
British Dictionary definitions for pen (4 of 6)
pen
4
/ (pɛn) /
noun
a female swan
Word Origin for pen
C16: of unknown origin
British Dictionary definitions for pen (5 of 6)
PEN
/ (pɛn) /
n acronym for
International Association of Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists, and Novelists
British Dictionary definitions for pen (6 of 6)
Pen.
abbreviation for
Peninsula
Idioms and Phrases with pen
pen
see slip of the lip (pen).