I, Pencil: Introduction

The unremarkable pencil — an everyday writing implement used since the 1800s — seems common and ordinary. But the story of this simple tool is far from plain!

This list covers vocabulary from the introduction.

Here are links to our lists for the book: List 1, List 2, List 3
12 words 0 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. vocation
    the particular occupation for which you are trained
    I am a lead pencil—the ordinary wooden pencil familiar to all boys and girls and adults who can read and write. Writing is both my vocation and my avocation; that's all I do.
  2. avocation
    an auxiliary activity
    I am a lead pencil—the ordinary wooden pencil familiar to all boys and girls and adults who can read and write. Writing is both my vocation and my avocation; that's all I do.
  3. genealogy
    the study or investigation of ancestry and family history
    You may wonder why I should write a genealogy. Well, to begin with, my story is interesting. And, next, I am a mystery—more so than a tree or a sunset or even a flash of lightning.
  4. supercilious
    having or showing arrogant superiority
    But, sadly, I am taken for granted by those who use me, as if I were a mere incident and without background. This supercilious attitude relegates me to the level of the commonplace.
  5. relegate
    assign to a lower position
    But, sadly, I am taken for granted by those who use me, as if I were a mere incident and without background. This supercilious attitude relegates me to the level of the commonplace.
  6. grievous
    of great gravity or crucial import
    This is a species of the grievous error in which mankind cannot too long persist without peril.
  7. peril
    a state of danger involving risk
    This is a species of the grievous error in which mankind cannot too long persist without peril.
  8. merit
    be worthy or deserving
    I, Pencil, simple though I appear to be, merit your wonder and awe, a claim I shall attempt to prove.
  9. awe
    an overwhelming feeling of wonder or admiration
    I, Pencil, simple though I appear to be, merit your wonder and awe, a claim I shall attempt to prove.
  10. seemingly
    from appearances alone
    I have a profound lesson to teach. And I can teach this lesson better than can an automobile or an airplane or a mechanical dishwasher because—well, because I am seemingly so simple.
  11. lacquer
    a hard glossy coating
    Not much meets the eye—there's some wood, lacquer, the printed labeling, graphite lead, a bit of metal, and an eraser.
  12. graphite
    a soft, dark gray mineral made of carbon
    Not much meets the eye—there's some wood, lacquer, the printed labeling, graphite lead, a bit of metal, and an eraser.
Created on Tue Apr 14 20:22:54 EDT 2026 (updated Wed May 20 13:57:09 EDT 2026)

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