Standard Lemma guide

inkstand

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A small tray containing pens and an inkwell; (by extension) a pot for holding ink, inkpot, inkwell.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • 1765, Laurence Sterne, letter published in Original Letters of the Late Reverend Mr. Laurence Sterne, never before published, London: 1788, pp. 89-90, [...] if I thought any thing I might hereafter write would be within their reach, I would throw the Manuscript that is now before me into the fire, and never dip my pen into my Ink-stand again [...]

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a tray or stand for writing implements and containers for ink

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: tray

3

noun

Meaning 3

a small well holding writing ink into which a pen can be dipped

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: inkwell

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: well

History

Etymology

From ink + stand.

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Arabic: دَوَاة (dawāh) — Small tray containing pens and an inkwell
  • Finnish: kirjoitusteline — Small tray containing pens and an inkwell
  • German: Schreibzeug — Small tray containing pens and an inkwell
  • German: Tintenzeug — Small tray containing pens and an inkwell
  • Hebrew: דיותה (deiotah) — Small tray containing pens and an inkwell
  • Hungarian: tintatartó — Small tray containing pens and an inkwell
  • Latin: atramentarium — Small tray containing pens and an inkwell
  • Santali: ᱫᱳᱚᱛ (doôt) — Small tray containing pens and an inkwell
  • Spanish: escribanía — Small tray containing pens and an inkwell
  • Telugu: మసిబుడ్డి (masibuḍḍi) — Small tray containing pens and an inkwell