Quil*la"ia bark` (?). (Bot.) The bark of a rosaceous tree (Quillaja
Saponaria), native of Chili. The bark is finely laminated, and very
heavy with alkaline substances, and is used commonly by the Chilians
instead of soap. Also called soap bark.
Quill"back` (?), n. (Zoˆl.) An American fresh-water fish (Ictiobus, or
Carpiodes, cyprinus); -- called also carp sucker, sailfish, spearfish,
and skimback.
Quilled (?), a. Furnished with quills; also, shaped like quills. "A
sharp-quilled porcupine." Shak.
Quilled suture (Surg.), a variety of stitch in which the threads after
being passed deeply through the edges of a wound are secured about two
quills or bodies of similar shape, in order to produce a suitable
degree of pressure.
Quil"let (?), n. [L. quidlibet what you please. Cf. Quiddit, and
Quibble.] Subtilty; nicety; quibble. "Nice, sharp quillets of the law."
Shak.
Quill"ing (?), n. (a) A band of linen, muslin, or the like, fluted,
folded, or plaited so as somewhat to resemble a row of quills. (b) One
of the rounded plaits or flutings of such a band.
Quill"wort` (?), n. (Bot.) Any plant or species of the genus Isoetes,
cryptogamous plants with a cluster of elongated four-tubed rushlike
leaves, rising from a corm, and containing spores in their enlarged and
excavated bases. There are about seventeen American species, usually
growing in the mud under still, shallow water. So called from the shape
of the shape of the leaves.
Quilt (?), n. [OE. quilte, OF. cuilte, L. culcita &?; bed, cushion,
mattress. Cf. 2d Counterpoint, Cushion.] Anything that is quilted;
esp., a quilted bed cover, or a skirt worn by women; any cover or
garment made by putting wool, cotton, etc., between two cloths and
stitching them together; also, any outer bed cover.
The beds were covered with magnificent quilts.
Arbuthnot.
Quilt, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quilted; p. pr. & vb. n. Quilting.] 1. To
stitch or sew together at frequent intervals, in order to confine in
place the several layers of cloth and wadding of which a garment,
comforter, etc., may be made; as, to quilt a coat. Dryden.