Definition

1. Noun:
   • A stand or tray for holding ink and writing implements: An "inkstand" is a piece of furniture or a small container designed to hold an inkwell and often other items like pens, quills, or a blotter.
   • A small container for ink: Specifically, an "inkstand" can refer to the inkwell itself, which is a small reservoir from which ink can be dipped by a pen.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The antique desk was complete with a brass inkstand. (The old desk had a brass holder for ink and pens.)
  • He dipped his quill into the inkstand before beginning to write. (He put the tip of his feather pen into the small ink container to get ink.)

Advanced Usage

• Historical context: In the past, an "inkstand" was an essential item on a scholar's or clerk's desk, often made of materials like glass, ceramic, or precious metals.
  • The museum displayed a 19th-century inkstand used by a famous author.

Variants and Related Words

• Inkwell (n): A small pot or container for ink, often a part of or synonymous with an inkstand.
  • The inkwell was made of cut glass.

Synonyms

• Standish (n, archaic): An old term for an inkstand.
• Writing set: A broader term for a collection of implements for writing, which may include an inkstand.

Noun

1. a tray or stand for writing implements and containers for ink
2. a small well holding writing ink into which a pen can be dipped