Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Topic: AGRICULTURE

Sense: 1,3
Date: 1200-1300
Language: Old French
Origin: penne 'feather, pen', from Latin penna 'feather'
Sense: 2
Origin: Old English penn
Sense: 4
Date: 1800-1900
Origin: penitentiary

pen

1 noun
     
pen
pen1 S2
1D [uncountable and countable] an instrument for writing or drawing with ink [↪ pencil, biro]:
a ballpoint pen
a felt-tip pen
in pen
Please fill out the form in pen.
a pen and ink drawing
2TA [countable] a small piece of land enclosed by a fence to keep farm animals in:
a sheep pen
 ➔ playpen
3

put/set pen to paper

TC to begin to write
4 [countable] American English informalSCJ a short form of penitentiary
5 [countable] British English informal a penalty, used especially when talking about football
Definition of pen from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English within
the topic AGRICULTURE
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