Pen"cil (?), n. [OF. pincel, F. pinceau, L. penicillum, penicillus, equiv. to peniculus, dim. of penis a tail. Cf. Penicil.] 1. A small, fine brush of hair or bristles used by painters for laying on colors.

With subtile pencil depainted was this storie.

2. A slender cylinder or strip of black lead, colored chalk, slate etc., or such a cylinder or strip inserted in a small wooden rod intended to be pointed, or in a case, which forms a handle, -- used for drawing or writing. See Graphite.

3. Hence, figuratively, an artist's ability or peculiar manner; also, in general, the act or occupation of the artist, descriptive writer, etc.

4. (Opt.) An aggregate or collection of rays of light, especially when diverging from, or converging to, a point.

5. (Geom.) A number of lines that intersect in one point, the point of intersection being called the pencil point.

6. (Med.) A small medicated bougie.

Pen"cil, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Penciled (?) or Pencilled; p. pr. & vb. n. Penciling or Pencilling.] To write or mark with a pencil; to paint or to draw. Cowper.

Where nature pencils butterflies on flowers.

• Writing utensil that uses graphite (commonly referred to as lead). Regular pencils usually have a graphite shaft surrounded by wood. A pencil sharpener is used to cut away the wood and leave a fine tip on the pencil. Also available in a mechanical version where the graphite length can be adjusted and sharpening is not needed.
  
• to squeeze something (meeting, feature, appointment, etc.) into a tight schedule
        I am very busy today but I can pencil you in at 3pm.
  
• to tentatively make a booking