Penicil
/ˈpɛnɪsɪl/noun
A small brush or tuft of fine hairs, bristles, or fibers.
Did you know?Latin penicillus originally referred to a small brush or tuft, and its shape-based diminutive later gave English both “penicil” and “pencil.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pes-
“A reconstructed root associated with the tail or male reproductive organ.”
Classical Latin
Latin
penis
“Tail; later, the male reproductive organ.”
Classical Latin
Latin
penicillus
“A little tail; a small brush or brush-like tuft.”
Late Latin
Latin
penicillum
“A small brush, especially one used for painting or writing.”
Middle English
English
penicil
“A small brush or tuft.”
Modern English
English
penicil
“A small brush or tuft of fine hairs, bristles, or fibers.”