Main Entry: pa·py·rus

Pronunciation: \pə-ˈpī-rəs\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural pa·py·ri \-ˈpī-(ˌ)rē, -rī\ or pa·py·rus·es

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin — more at paper

Date: 14th century

1 : a tall perennial sedge (Cyperus papyrus) of the Nile valley
2 : the pith of the papyrus plant especially when made into strips and pressed into a material to write on
3 a : a writing on papyrus b : a written scroll made of papyrus

[papyrus illustration]