penicil

[ pen-uh-sil ]

noun

1. a small, brushlike tuft of hairs, as on a caterpillar.

Word History and Origins

Origin of penicil¹

First recorded in 1820–30, penicil is from the Latin word pēnicillus painter's brush or pencil. See pencil

Example Sentences

Penicil, pen′i-sil, n. a brush of hairs: a pledget for wounds, &c.—adjs.

From Project Gutenberg

Penicil′lium, one of the blue-moulds.

From Project Gutenberg

But through the whole winter of 1942, only enough penicil lin was made in the U.S. to treat about 50 patients.

From Time Magazine Archive

A few U.S. hospitals made penicil lin by "kitchen culture."

From Time Magazine Archive