pencil: [14] Etymologically, a pencil is a ‘little penis’. It originally denoted a ‘paintbrush’ – the current sense ‘writing implement filled with a graphite rod’ did not emerge until the 17th century – and came via Old French pincel from Vulgar Latin *pēnicellum, an alteration of Latin pēnicillum ‘paintbrush’. This was a diminutive form of pēniculus ‘brush’, which was in turn a diminutive of pēnis. Pēnis originally meant ‘tail’ (whence the metaphor of the ‘brush’), and only by extension was it used for ‘male sex organ’ (in which sense English adopted it as penis [17]).
The term penicillin [20] was based on Latin pēnicillum, in allusion to the tuft-like shape of its spore-bearing structures. => penicillin, penis
pencil (n.)
early 14c., "an artist's fine brush of camel hair," from Old French pincel "artist's paintbrush" (13c., Modern French pinceau), from Latin penicillus "painter's brush, hair-pencil," literally "little tail," diminutive of peniculus "brush," itself a diminutive of penis "tail" (see penis). Small brushes formerly were used for writing before modern lead or chalk pencils; meaning "graphite writing implement" apparently evolved late 16c. Derogatory slang pencil-pusher "office worker" is from 1881; pencil neck "weak person" first recorded 1973.
pencil (v.)
1530s, "to mark or sketch with a pencil-brush," from pencil (n.). In reference to lead pencils from 1760s. Related: Penciled; penciling. To pencil (something) in "arrange tentatively" is attested from 1942.
双语例句
1. He picked up a pencil and toyed with it idly.
他捡起一支铅笔，无所事事地摆弄着。
来自柯林斯例句
2. With a lip pencil, outline lips and fill them in.
用唇线笔勾出双唇的轮廓，然后涂上唇膏。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Give your brows extra definition with Outdoor Girl'sEyebrow Pencil in Brown.
用“户外女孩”品牌的棕色眉笔更加清晰地勾勒出眉形。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Ridley picked up a pencil and fiddled with it.
里德利拿起一支铅笔，不停地在手里摆弄着。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Fill in gaps by using short, upward strokes of the pencil.
