| pencil | 1. A small, fine brush of hair or bristles used by painters for laying on colours. "With subtile pencil depainted was this storie." (Chaucer) 2. A slender cylinder or strip of black lead, coloured chalk, slate etc, or such a cylinder or strip inserted in a small wooden rod intended to be pointed, or in a case, which forms a handle, used for drawing or writing. See Graphite. 3. Hence, figuratively, an artist's ability or peculiar manner; also, in general, the act or occupation of the artist, descriptive writer, etc. 4. <optics> An aggregate or collection of rays of light, especially when diverging from, or converging to, a point. 5. <geometry> A number of lines that intersect in one point, the point of intersection being called the pencil point. 6. <medicine> A small medicated bougie. Pencil case, a holder for pencil lead. <botany> Pencil flower, an American perennial leguminous herb (Stylosanthes elatior). Pencil lead, a slender rod of black lead, or the like, adapted for insertion in a holder. Origin: OF. Pincel, F. Pinceau, L. Penicillum, penicillus, equiv. To peniculus, dim. Of penis a tail. Cf. Penicil. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| point tenderness | <clinical sign> A finding on physical examination that can indicate a localised inflammatory process due to injury or disease. Point tenderness will be discovered over fracture sites (in bone injury). (27 Sep 1997) |
| tenderness | The condition of being tender. Pencil tenderness, strictly localised tenderness, elicited by pressure with the rubber tip of a pencil, e.g., in cases of incomplete or subperiosteal fracture. Rebound tenderness, tenderness felt when pressure, particularly pressure on the abdomen, is suddenly released. (05 Mar 2000) |
| tenderness to palpation | <clinical sign> A physical examination finding that is characterised by the development of pain with the application of light touch (palpation) to a specific area. See: palpation. (13 Jan 1998) |