pen

pen1 [ pen ] noun **

1. ) count an object that you use for writing or drawing with ink:

Do you have a pen and paper?

a ) count an electronic object similar to a pen that you can use with a computer

b ) uncount ink from a pen:

It was written in black pen.

2. ) count a small area with a fence around it, used for keeping animals in

3. ) count AMERICAN INFORMAL a PENITENTIARY

the pen is mightier than the sword FORMAL

used for saying that what someone writes can have more effect than violent action

put pen to paper

to start writing something

pen

pen 2 [ pen ] verb transitive

1. ) MAINLY JOURNALISM to write something:

the house where Anne Frank penned her famous diaries

2. ) to shut an animal in a small area with a fence around it

,pen `in phrasal verb transitive

1. ) same as PEN 2 2:

We penned the sheep in for the night.

2. ) to make it impossible for someone to get out of a place:

A van was parked behind me, penning me in.

3. ) to make someone feel they cannot escape from a situation

,pen `up phrasal verb transitive

same as PEN 2 2:

Before she left she penned up both dogs in the back yard.