1 (also quill feather) any of the main wing or tail feathers of a bird.
the hollow shaft of a feather, especially the lower part or calamus that lacks barbs.
(also quill pen) a pen made from a main wing or tail feather of a large bird by pointing and slitting the end of the shaft:he leant over his writing desk, quill in hand
2the hollow sharp spines of a porcupine, hedgehog, or other spiny mammal.
3 (quills)another term for penne.a dish of pasta quills tossed in a spicy tomato sauce
