paper
1pa·per
noun \ˈpā-pər\Definition of PAPER
1
a (1) : a felted sheet of usually vegetable fibers laid down on a fine screen from a water suspension (2) : a similar sheet of other material (as plastic) b : a piece of paper
2
a : a piece of paper containing a written or printed statement : document <pedigree papers> b : a piece of paper containing writing or print c : a formal written composition often designed for publication and often intended to be read aloud <presented a scholarly paper at the meeting> d : a piece of written schoolwork
3
: a paper container or wrapper
4
5
: the negotiable notes or instruments of commerce
6
7
: tickets; especially : free passes
8
— on paper
1
: in writing <wants these promises on paper>
2
: in theory <the plan looks good on paper>
3
: figured at face value <on paper the stock was worth nearly a million dollars>
Examples of PAPER
- We'll need pens, glue, and some paper.
- Be sure to print the letter on good paper.
- He scribbled the number on a scrap of paper.
- a crumpled piece of paper
- The border guards asked to see my papers.
- They published a landmark paper in 1995.
- The teacher was busy grading papers.
- She did well on her history paper.
Origin of PAPER
Middle English papir, from Anglo-French, from Latin papyrus papyrus, paper, from Greek papyros papyrus
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Paper Terms
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