ETYM Perhaps from French quille ninepin (see Kayless); but cf. also German kiel a quill. Mid. High Germ. kil, and Irish cuille a quill.
1. A bird's feather made into a pen for writing; SYN. quill pen.
2. A stiff hollow protective spine on a porcupine or hedgehog.
3. The hollow shaft of a feather; SYN. calamus, shaft.