Penk vs Pent - What's the difference?

penk | pent |

As a noun penk

is (uk|dialect) a minnow.

confined in a pen, imprisoned.

(pen);.

(en noun)

(UK, dialect) A minnow.

(Webster 1913)

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, '' .

Use of bare "pent", as in the Gilbert quotation above, has become less common over time. (Use of "pent up" or "pent in" remains about as common.)

(head)

(pen);

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