Emily Dickinson Lexicon

QUILL, n. [Ir. cuille, a reed or quill; Corn. cuilan; L. calamus; W. calav; probably a shoot.]

1. The large strong feather of a goose or other large fowl; used much for writing pens. Hence,
2. The instrument of writing; as, the proper subject of his quill. – Wotton.
3. The spine or prickle of a porcupine. – Encyc.
4. A piece of small reed or other hollow plant, on which weavers wind the thread which forms the woof of cloth. – Spenser.
5. The instrument with which musicians strike the strings of certain instruments. – Dryden. To carry a good quill, to write well.