Search results for 'paper':

paper noun 1 a material manufactured in thin sheets from pulped wood, rags, or other forms of cellulose, used for writing and printing on, wrapping things, etc. 2 a loose piece of paper, eg a wrapper or printed sheet. 3 other material used for a similar purpose or with a similar appearance, eg papyrus, rice paper. 4 wallpaper. 5 a a newspaper; b (the papers) newspapers collectively; the press. 6 a set of questions on a certain subject for a written examination • maths paper. 7 a a written article dealing with a certain subject, especially for reading to an audience at a meeting, conference, etc; b an essay written eg by a student. 8 (papers) personal documents establishing one's identity, nationality, etc, required by customs, passport control, etc, and in some countries required by law to be carried at all times. 9 (papers) a person's accumulated correspondence, diaries, etc. 10 politics see under green paper, white paper. 11 stock exchange slang stocks and shares. adj 1 consisting of or made of paper. 2 paper-like, especially thin like paper; papery. 3 on paper. verb (papered, papering) 1 to decorate (a wall, a room, etc) with wallpaper • paper the hall. 2 to cover something with paper. paperer noun. papering noun 1 the activity of covering something with paper, especially wallpaper. 2 the paper used for this. on paper 1 in theory or in abstract as distinct from practice • The plans were good on paper, but not in practice. 2 captured in written form • get one's ideas down on paper.
ETYMOLOGY: 14c: from French papier, from Latin, from Greek papyros papyrus.