pen English · revision 5616
16 Oct 2026, 03:03 by bogdan “en10k b0212: passenger … valid” current version
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+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA: /pen/^(Roach et al. 2011)
+
+ {{homograph|1|for writing}}
+
+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1280|origins=ine-pro *pet-}}
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ The writing instrument is [[inh|enm|penne]], [[bor|fro|penne|t=quill pen, feather]] and directly from [[la|penna|t=feather; in Late Latin, a pen]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from Old Latin petna, pesna,^(Etymonline) from [[ine-pro|*pet-|t=to rush, fly]].^(Etymonline) It is related to [[feather]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ A writing instrument made from a quill: about 1280 in Barnhart, the late 13th century in Etymonline.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) In Middle English it also meant a feather, from 1373.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ The earliest pens were feathers whose quills were sharpened and split to form a nib.^(Cresswell 2021) The word was extended to any instrument for writing with fluid ink.^(Etymonline) A ''penknife'' was at first used to sharpen quills, before 1425.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) The verb, to write, is from 1490.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) ''Penman'' is from 1591 and ''penmanship'' from 1695.^(Barnhart 1988) ''Pen name'' is from 1857 in Etymonline and 1864 in Barnhart, translating French nom de plume.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) ''Pen friend'' is from 1933 and ''pen pal'' from 1938.^(Barnhart 1988) In later French the word means only a long feather, while plume is the writing instrument, the reverse of English.^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * c. 1280 – a quill pen.^(Barnhart 1988)
+ * 1373 – a feather.^(Barnhart 1988)
+ * 1490 – the verb, to write.^(Barnhart 1988)
+ * 1857 – ''pen name''.^(Etymonline)
+ * 1938 – ''pen pal''.^(Barnhart 1988)
+
+ ==Modern meaning==
+ ===Noun===
+ # An instrument for writing or drawing with [[ink]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)
+ # Writing as a profession or means of expression: ''the pen is mightier than the sword''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)
+
+ ===Verb===
+ # To write something, especially a letter or book.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)
+
+ {{homograph|2|enclosure}}
+
+ {{infobox|confidence=unknown|attested=957}}
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ The enclosure is [[inh|enm|penne]], [[inh|ang|penn]], of uncertain origin.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(Cresswell 2021) Etymonline suggests a connection with Old English pinn “pin, peg”, from the idea of a bolted gate or a fence of pointed stakes.^(Etymonline) The verb, to shut in, is Middle English pennen, probably from Old English *-pennian, found only in onpennad “unpenned, opened”.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) It is related to [[pent]].^(Barnhart 1988)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ A small enclosure for domestic animals: 957.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) It is in the place name Yppelpen in 1172.^(Barnhart 1988)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ The verb, to confine or shut in, is from before 1200,^(Barnhart 1988) and to put animals in a pen from about 1610.^(Barnhart 1988) A device for holding back the water of a river or canal is from 1585.^(OED 1989) In the West Indies a pen was a farm or country house, from 1740.^(OED 1989) A prison cell is American from 1845, compare [[bullpen]].^(OED 1989) A covered dock for submarines is from 1917.^(OED 1989)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * 957 – an animal enclosure.^(OED 1989)
+ * before 1200 – the verb, to shut in.^(Barnhart 1988)
+ * 1740 – a farm (West Indies).^(OED 1989)
+ * 1917 – a submarine dock.^(OED 1989)
+
+ ==Modern meaning==
+ ===Noun===
+ # A small fenced area for keeping [[sheep]], pigs and other animals.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)
+ # Any small enclosure, such as a [[playpen]].^(AHD)
+ # A covered dock for repairing submarines.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)
+
+ ===Verb===
+ # To shut up an animal or person in a small space.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)
+
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[pin]]
+ * [[penknife]]
+ * [[pen name]]
+ * [[feather]]
+ * [[pent]]
+ * [[pinion]]
+
+ ==Usage notes==
+ Pen, a female swan, is a separate word of unknown origin from the mid-16th century.^(SOED 2002) Pen, a prison, is American slang from 1884, short for [[penitentiary]] and influenced by the enclosure word.^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002)
+
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}