pen

1 a writing implement with a point from which ink flows

2 an enclosure for confining livestock

3 a portable enclosure in which babies may be left to play [syn: playpen]

4 a correctional institution for those convicted of major crimes [syn: penitentiary]

5 female swan v : produce a literary work; "She composed a poem"; "He wrote four novels" [syn: write, compose, indite] [also: pent, penning, penned]pent adj : closely confined [syn: shut up(p)]pent See pen

English

Adjective

1. Confined in a pen, imprisoned.

   My object all sublime

   I shall achieve in time —

   To let the punishment fit the crime —

   The punishment fit the crime;

   And make each prisoner pent

   Unwillingly represent

   A source of innocent merriment!

   Of innocent merriment! — W.S. Gilbert, The Mikado.

Usage notes

While probably archaic, Gilbert's use (in the quote given above) has kept the word current.

Verb

pent

1. (alternative form'') past of pen

See also

• -pent-
• pent-
• penta-
• pent-up