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Discuss Email this Feedback RSS/XML Permalink A.Word.A.Day--pencel This week's theme: words that appear to be misspellings. pencel or pensil (PEN-suhl) noun A small flag at the end of a lance. [From Old French penoncel, diminutive of penon (pennon), from Latin penna (feather). Ultimately from the Indo-European root pet- (to rush, fly) that is also the root of feather, pin, pinnacle, impetus, symptom, appetite, and petition.] -Anu Garg (garg wordsmith.org) "Embroidered and painted pennants and pencels were brought out." Frances May Hendry; Quest for a Maid; Farrar, Straus and Giroux; 1992. X-Bonus We are never more discontented with others than when we are discontented with ourselves. -Henri Frederic Amiel, philosopher and writer (1821-1881)

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