pen

pen¹

P0159300 (pĕn)n.1. An instrument for writing or drawing with ink or similar fluid, especially:a. A ballpoint pen.b. A fountain pen.c. A pen point.d. A penholder and its pen point.e. A quill.2. a. An instrument for writing regarded as a means of expression: "Tyranny has no enemy so formidable as the pen" (William Cobbett).b. A writer or an author: a hired pen.c. A style of writing: wrote plays with a witty pen.3. A pen-shaped device containing something other than ink: an insulin pen; a vaporizer pen.4. Any of various other pen-shaped devices, such as a laser pointer.5. The chitinous internal shell of a squid.6. A pen shell.7. pens Archaic The primary feathers or wings of a bird.tr.v. penned, pen·ning, pens To write or compose: penned a letter.

[Middle English penne, from Old French, from Late Latin penna, from Latin, feather; see pet- in Indo-European roots.]

pen′ner n.

pen²

P0159300 (pĕn)n.1. a. A fenced enclosure for animals.b. The animals kept in such an enclosure.c. Any of various enclosures, such as a bullpen or playpen, used for a variety of purposes.2. A roofed dock for submarines.tr.v. penned or pent (pĕnt), pen·ning, pens To confine in or as if in a pen. See Synonyms at enclose.

[Middle English, from Old English penn.]

pen³

P0159300 (pĕn)n. A female swan.

[Origin unknown.]

pen⁴

P0159300 (pĕn)n. Informal A penitentiary; a prison.

[Short for penitentiary.]

pen

(pɛn) n1. 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 pen2. the writing end of such an implement; nib3. style of writing4. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) writing as an occupation5. (Professions) writing as an occupation6. (Zoology) the long horny internal shell of a squidvb, pens, penning or penned (tr) to write or compose[Old English pinne, from Late Latin penna (quill) pen, from Latin: feather]

pen

(pɛn) n1. (Agriculture) an enclosure in which domestic animals are kept: sheep pen. 2. any place of confinement3. (Nautical Terms) a dock for servicing submarines, esp one having a bombproof roofvb, pens, penning, penned or pent (tr) to enclose or keep in a pen[Old English penn, perhaps related to pin]

pen

(pɛn) n (Law) informal US and Canadian short for penitentiary¹

pen

(pɛn) n (Animals) a female swan[C16: of unknown origin]

PEN

(pɛn) n acronym for (Literary & Literary Critical Movements) International Association of Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists, and Novelists

pen¹

(pɛn)

n., v. penned, pen•ning. n. 1. any of various instruments for writing or drawing with ink or a similar substance. 2. a detachable metal penpoint; nib. 3. such a penpoint with its holder. 4. the pen as a symbol of authorship. 5. a writer. 6. quill (def. 1). v.t. 7. to write or draw with or as if with a pen: to pen an essay. Compare ballpoint, fountain pen, quill (def. 3). [1250–1300; Middle English penne < Old French penne pen, feather < Late Latin penna, Latin: feather] pen′ner, n.

pen²

(pɛn)

n., v. penned, pen•ning. n. 1. a small enclosure for domestic animals. 2. the animals so enclosed. 3. playpen. 4. bull pen (defs. 1, 2). 5. a dock used in the repair of submarines. v.t. 6. to confine in or as if in a pen. [before 1000; Middle English penne, Old English penn (in compounds); perhaps akin to pin]

pen³

(pɛn)

n. Slang. penitentiary (def. 1). [1880–85; Amer.; shortened form]

pen⁴

(pɛn)

n. a female swan. [1540–50; orig. uncertain]

Pen.

or pen.,

peninsula.

P.E.N.

International Association of Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists, and Novelists.

pen

lapsus calami, lapsus memoriae - A lapsus calami is a slip of the pen; a lapsus memoriae is a slip of the memory.
ruling pen - A type of pen used in graphic design and calligraphy for drawing precise lines of various thicknesses.
nom de plume - Literally "name of the pen," meaning "pseudonym."
trait - A stroke of a pen or pencil.

pen

Past participle: penned
Gerund: penning

Imperative
pen
pen

Present
I pen
you pen
he/she/it pens
we pen
you pen
they pen

Preterite
I penned
you penned
he/she/it penned
we penned
you penned
they penned

Present Continuous
I am penning
you are penning
he/she/it is penning
we are penning
you are penning
they are penning

Present Perfect
I have penned
you have penned
he/she/it has penned
we have penned
you have penned
they have penned

Past Continuous
I was penning
you were penning
he/she/it was penning
we were penning
you were penning
they were penning

Past Perfect
I had penned
you had penned
he/she/it had penned
we had penned
you had penned
they had penned

Future
I will pen
you will pen
he/she/it will pen
we will pen
you will pen
they will pen

Future Perfect
I will have penned
you will have penned
he/she/it will have penned
we will have penned
you will have penned
they will have penned

Future Continuous
I will be penning
you will be penning
he/she/it will be penning
we will be penning
you will be penning
they will be penning

Present Perfect Continuous
I have been penning
you have been penning
he/she/it has been penning
we have been penning
you have been penning
they have been penning

Future Perfect Continuous
I will have been penning
you will have been penning
he/she/it will have been penning
we will have been penning
you will have been penning
they will have been penning

Past Perfect Continuous
I had been penning
you had been penning
he/she/it had been penning
we had been penning
you had been penning
they had been penning

Conditional
I would pen
you would pen
he/she/it would pen
we would pen
you would pen
they would pen

Past Conditional
I would have penned
you would have penned
he/she/it would have penned
we would have penned
you would have penned
they would have penned

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	pen - a writing implement with a point from which ink flowsballpen, ballpoint, ballpoint pen, Biro - a pen that has a small metal ball as the point of transfer of ink to paperfelt tip, felt-tip pen, felt-tipped pen, Magic Marker - a pen with a writing tip made of felt (trade name Magic Marker)fountain pen - a pen that is supplied with ink from a reservoir in its barrelnib, pen nib - the writing point of a penquill, quill pen - pen made from a bird's featherSharpie - a pen with indelible ink that will write on any surfacewriting implement - an implement that is used to write
	2.	pen - an enclosure for confining livestockcattle pen, corral, cow pen - a pen for cattlecreep - a pen that is fenced so that young animals can enter but adults cannotenclosure - a structure consisting of an area that has been enclosed for some purposesheep pen, sheepcote, sheepfold, fold - a pen for sheepholding paddock, holding pen, holding yard - a pen where livestock is temporarily confinedkraal - a pen for livestock in southern Africapaddock - pen where racehorses are saddled and paraded before a racepinfold - a pen where stray animals are confinedrodeo - an enclosure for cattle that have been rounded uppigpen, pigsty, sty - a pen for swine
	3.	pen - a portable enclosure in which babies may be left to playplaypenenclosure - a structure consisting of an area that has been enclosed for some purpose
	4.	pen - a correctional institution for those convicted of major crimespenitentiarycorrectional institution - a penal institution maintained by the government
	5.	pen - female swanswan - stately heavy-bodied aquatic bird with very long neck and usually white plumage as adult
Verb	1.	pen - produce a literary work; "She composed a poem"; "He wrote four novels"indite, write, composeauthorship, penning, writing, composition - the act of creating written works; "writing was a form of therapy for him"; "it was a matter of disputed authorship"draw - write a legal document or paper; "The deed was drawn in the lawyer's office"create verbally - create with or from wordslyric - write lyrics for (a song)write about, write of, write on - write about a particular topic; "Snow wrote about China"profile - write about; "The author of this article profiles a famous painter"paragraph - write paragraphs; work as a paragrapherparagraph - write about in a paragraph; "All her friends were paragraphed in last Monday's paper"write off - write something fluently, and without hesitationdash off, fling off, scratch off, toss off, knock off - write quickly; "She dashed off a note to her husband saying she would not be home for supper"; "He scratched off a thank-you note to the hostess"rewrite - rewrite so as to make fit to suit a new or different purpose; "re-write a play for use in schools"write copy - write for commercial publications; "She writes copy for Harper's Bazaar"dramatise, dramatize, adopt - put into dramatic form; "adopt a book for a screenplay"draft, outline - draw up an outline or sketch for something; "draft a speech"poetise, poetize, verse, versify - compose verses or put into verse; "He versified the ancient saga"author - be the author of; "She authored this play"annotate, footnote - add explanatory notes to or supply with critical comments; "The scholar annotated the early edition of a famous novel"reference, cite - refer to; "he referenced his colleagues' work"publish, write - have (one's written work) issued for publication; "How many books did Georges Simenon write?"; "She published 25 books during her long career"write out, write up - put into writing; write in complete form; "write out a contract"script - write a script for; "The playwright scripted the movie"

pen

¹verb write (down), draft, compose, pencil, draw up, scribble, take down, inscribe, scrawl, jot down, dash off, commit to paper She penned a short memo to his private secretary.Quotations
"Beneath the rule of men entirely great"
"The pen is mightier than the sword" [Edward Bulwer-Lytton Richelieu]

pen

²noun1. enclosure, pound, fold, cage, coop, hutch, corral (chiefly U.S. & Canad.), sty a holding pen for sheepverb1. enclose, confine, cage, pound, mew (up), fence in, impound, hem in, coop up, hedge in, shut up or in The cattle had been milked and penned for the night.

pen¹

verbTo be the author of (a published work or works):publish, write.

pen²

verbTo confine within a limited area:cage, coop (in or up), enclose, fence (in), immure, mew (up), shut in, shut up, wall (in or up).

pen³

nounInformal. A place for the confinement of persons in lawful detention:brig, house of correction, jail, keep, penitentiary, prison.Informal: lockup.Slang: big house, can, clink, cooler, coop, hoosegow, joint, jug, pokey, slammer, stir.Chiefly Regional: calaboose.

Translations

书写笔围圈围栏钢笔

pen¹

(pen) noun a small enclosure, usually for animals. a sheep-pen. 围栏，围圈

pen²

(pen) noun an instrument for writing in ink. My pen needs a new nib.钢笔ˈpen-friend, ˈpen-pal nouns a usually young person (usually living abroad) with whom another (usually young) person regularly exchanges letters. My daughter has pen-friends in India and Spain.笔友ˈpen-knife noun a pocket-knife with blades which fold into the handle. 铅笔刀ˈpen-name noun a name used by a writer instead of his own name. Samuel Clemens used the pen-name of Mark Twain.笔名pen-palpen-friendabove

pen

→ 书写笔zhCN

Do you have a pen I could borrow? → 您有没有笔借我用一下？

pen

poison pen

1. adjective Spiteful, malicious, or defamatory in composition, as of a letter or other written work, generally sent anonymously and with the aim of damaging or destroying a person's, group's, or organization's reputation or happiness. Always used before a noun. Often hyphenated. After agreeing to defend the alleged mass-murderer, the public defendant began receiving a large number of poison-pen letters from around the city. We've had enough trouble getting this restaurant up and running without having a poison-pen review like that in the papers!2. adjective Characterized by, typified by, or inclined toward the writing and sending of such letters or pieces of writing. Always used before a noun. Often hyphenated. The outspoken feminist figure has been the target of a hateful poison-pen campaign by online misogynists who have hidden behind the shield of anonymity to conduct their attacks.3. noun A disposition, attitude, inclination, or ability typified by the writing and sending such letters or pieces of writing. Every year or so, there is a new piece of diatribe and vitriol from the poison pen of the infamous white supremacist. The poison pen of the oft-feared but well-respected critic has been enough to cause the downfall of more than one virtuoso's career.See also: pen, poison

slip of the pen

An unintentional mistake in one's writing, such as incorrect spelling, word choice, or meaning. Whoops, I meant to tell my mother that she was welcome to call over next Monday, but I actually wrote "next month" instead. Oh well, she'll understand that it was just a slip of the pen. Now take your time while writing these test essays—you don't want a few slips of the pen to be the reason you get a lower grade!See also: of, pen, slip

pen pusher

One who has a boring, meaningless office job. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Gary was tired of being a pen pusher, so he decided to quit and start his own business.See also: pen, pusher

poison-pen letter

A letter that contains malicious statements or accusations about the recipient or another party. Shortly after announcing his candidacy, he received an anonymous poison-pen letter attacking his platform.See also: letter

put pen to paper

1. To write or begin to write something, especially on paper. My first advice to anyone struggling with their emotions is to keep a small journal and put pen to paper as often as possible. Writers from across the country have been putting pen to paper for the annual nonfiction festival.2. To sign a contract. The football star has refused to put pen to paper until his pay exceeds that of his last contract.See also: paper, pen, put

set pen to paper

To write or begin to write something, especially on paper. My first advice to anyone struggling with their emotions is to keep a small journal and set pen to paper as often as possible. Writers from across the country have been setting pen to paper for the annual nonfiction festival.See also: paper, pen, set

slip of the lip

An unintentional mistake made while one is speaking, such as incorrect pronunciation, word choice, or meaning. The news anchor's innocent slip of the lip has gone viral, of course.See also: lip, of, slip

the pen is mightier than the sword

Strong, eloquent, or well-crafted speech or writing is more influential on a greater number of people than force or violence. Through his hugely popular online campaign, the writer has harnessed the voices of millions of people to have the government stop its violent intervention in the region, proving that the pen truly is mightier than the sword.See also: mighty, pen, sword

dip (one's) pen in gall

To write something that conveys one's animosity, anger, or malice. The critic must have dipped his pen in gall before writing that very negative review.See also: dip, gall, pen

pen (someone or something) in

To contain or confine someone or something in a pen or something that functions like a pen. I managed to pen in the piglets before they got away. Just make sure the kids are penned in out back and let them play amongst themselves.See also: pen

pen up

To imprison or confine someone or an animal inside of a pen or a similarly small, restricted space. We pen these convicts up with other criminals for years at a time, and you expect them all to become reformed citizens as a result? The man had penned up dozens of wild animals in a disused corner of his company's warehouse.See also: pen, up

in the bullpen

1. In the area where relief pitchers warm up before entering a baseball game. Elliot is warming up in the bullpen right now, so he'll come in and try to hold this lead.2. By extension, a team's relief pitchers taken collectively. OK, who do we have in the bullpen this season?3. Ready and available to do something. Don't worry, I've got a few interns in the bullpen to help me with this.See also: bullpen

be in the bullpen

To be in the area where relief pitchers warm-up before entering a baseball game. Elliot's in the bullpen right now—he'll come in and try to hold this lead.See also: bullpen

never dip your pen into the company's ink

vulgar slang Do not have a romantic or sexual relationship with someone you work with. "Pen" is a reference to one's penis. Do you really think it's a good idea to date your boss? I'm a big believer that you should never dip your pen into the company's ink.See also: dip, ink, never, pen

*in the bull pen

1. Lit. [of a baseball pitcher to be] in a special place near the playing field, warming up to pitch. (*Typically: be ~; go [into] ~.) You can tell who is pitching next by seeing who is in the bull pen. Our best pitcher just went into the bull pen. He'll be pitching soon. 2. Fig. in reserve, ready if needed. I'm willing to be in the bull pen. Just call me if you need me.See also: bull, pen

pen is mightier than the sword

Prov. Eloquent writing persuades people better than military force. Believing that the pen is mightier than the sword, the rebels began publishing an underground newspaper. Alan: Why do you want to become a journalist? Bill: The pen is mightier than the sword.See also: mighty, pen, sword

pen (someone or an animal) in (some place)

to confine someone or an animal in a pen. We penned all the kids in out in the backyard while we got the party things ready in the house. We had to pen in the kids to keep them away from the traffic. Alice penned her dog in.See also: pen

pen (someone or an animal) up

to confine someone to a confined space or an animal to a pen. He said he didn't want them to pen him up in an office all day. They penned up the dog during the day.See also: pen, up

poison-pen letter

A letter, usually anonymous, that makes malicious statements about the recipient or a third party. For example, She told the police about the poison-pen letters, but they said they couldn't pursue the matter . [Early 1900s] See also: letter

slip of the lip

Also, slip of the tongue or pen . An inadvertent mistake in speaking (or writing), as in It was just a slip of the lip that made me say the wrong name, or She didn't mean it; it was a slip of the tongue, or He intended to write "the honorable" but a slip of the pen turned it into "reverend." The usage with pen dates from the mid-1600s; the others are a century or so younger. See also: lip, of, slip

a pen pusher

mainly BRITISH or

a pencil pusher

AMERICAN or

a paper pusher

COMMON If you describe someone as a pen pusher or a pencil pusher, you mean that they have a boring office job and do not make any important decisions. People who used to be called administrators, and perhaps seen as just pen pushers, have been transformed into senior managers. Many of the men who now sit on company boards are pencil pushers with qualifications from top schools, but lack experience in business. Note: In both American and British English, you can also call someone a paper pusher. I didn't want to be just another faceless paper pusher. Note: You can refer to office work as pen-pushing, pencil-pushing, or paper-pushing. You can also say that office workers push papers or push pens. I want our police officers freed from paper-pushing. I'm very thankful that I can make a living from my art, rather than working as a waiter or pushing papers eight hours a day.See also: pen, pusher

a slip of the pen

A slip of the pen is something you wrote by mistake. The translator dated his letter `Plymouth 1 June 1618'. This is wrong, and probably a slip of the pen for 11 June.See also: of, pen, slip

dip your pen in gall

write unpleasantly or spitefully. Gall is another word for bile, the bitter secretion of the liver; it is used in many places in the Bible as a metaphor for bitterness or affliction. See also wormwood and gall (at wormwood).See also: dip, gall, pen

the pen is mightier than the sword

writing is more effective than military power or violence. proverbSee also: mighty, pen, sword

slip of the pen (or the tongue)

a minor mistake in writing (or speech). The equivalent Latin phrases, lapsus calami and lapsus linguae , are also sometimes used in formal English.See also: of, pen, slip

the ˌpen is ˌmightier than the ˈsword

(saying) people who write books, poems, etc. have a greater effect on history and human affairs than soldiers and wars Mightier means ‘stronger’ or ‘more powerful’.See also: mighty, pen, sword

put ˌpen to ˈpaper

(formal) write or start to write something: He spent hours thinking about what he should write, and it was midnight before he finally put pen to paper.See also: paper, pen, put

a ˌpoison ˈpen letter

an unpleasant letter which is not signed and is intended to upset the person who receives it: Most politicians get poison pen letters, sometimes threatening their lives.See also: letter, pen, poison

a slip of the ˈtongue/ˈpen

a small mistake when speaking or writing: Did I say North Street? Sorry, that was a slip of the tongue — I meant South Street.See also: of, pen, slip, tongue

pen in

v. To confine someone or something in or as if in a pen: The farmer penned the pigs in for the night. If you don't pen in the chickens, the wolves will get them.See also: pen

pen

n. a penitentiary; prison. (Underworld.) Bart got sent to the pen for fifteen years.

pen is mightier than the sword, the

Writing is more powerful and effective than fighting. This adage appeared as a proverb in 1571 (“No more sword to be feared than the learned pen”) and then took a slightly different form in Robert Burton’s The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621): “The pen is worse than the sword.” It has quite naturally appealed to writers ever since. Time magazine (1990) used “The Pen Is Mightier” as a headline for a piece announcing that Poland had a journalist as its new prime minister, Czechoslovakia a playwright as president, and Hungary an English translator as president.See also: mighty, pen

poison pen

A writer of a letter, usually anonymous, that is malicious and, sometimes libelous. It may attack either the recipient or a third party. The term, with its companion poison-pen letter, dates from the early 1900s. The poison is figurative, describing the scurrilous nature of the words. David Lodge used it in Changing Places (1975), “I’ve had what I believe is called a poison-pen letter from Euphoria, an anonymous letter.” See also: pen, poison

pen

pen 1

pen 2

pen 3

pen 4

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pen

PEN

pen1

pen2

pen3

pen4

Pen.

or pen.,

P.E.N.

pen

pen

pen

pen

pen 1

pen 2

pen 3

pen1

pen2

pen

pen

poison pen

slip of the pen

pen pusher

poison-pen letter

put pen to paper

set pen to paper

slip of the lip

the pen is mightier than the sword

dip (one's) pen in gall

pen (someone or something) in

pen up

in the bullpen

be in the bullpen

never dip your pen into the company's ink

*in the bull pen

pen is mightier than the sword

pen (someone or an animal) in (some place)

pen (someone or an animal) up

poison-pen letter

slip of the lip

a pen pusher

a pencil pusher

a paper pusher

a slip of the pen

dip your pen in gall

the pen is mightier than the sword

slip of the pen (or the tongue)

the ˌpen is ˌmightier than the ˈsword

put ˌpen to ˈpaper

a ˌpoison ˈpen letter

a slip of the ˈtongue/ˈpen

pen in

pen

pen is mightier than the sword, the

poison pen

pen

pen,

Pen

What does it mean when you dream about a pen?

pen

pen

pen

pen

pen

pen

Pen

pen

pen

PEN

PEN

PEN

PEN

pen¹

pen²

pen³

pen⁴

pen¹

pen²

pen³

pen⁴

pen¹

pen²

pen³

pen¹

pen²