Papyrus Definition

pə-pīrəs
papyri, papyruses
noun
papyri, papyruses
A tall water plant (Cyperus papyrus) of the sedge family, abundant in the Nile region of Egypt and widely cultivated as an ornamental.
Webster's New World
A material for writing on, made from this plant by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, by soaking, pressing, and drying thin slices of its pith laid crosswise.
Webster's New World
Any ancient document or manuscript on papyrus.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
  • paper rush
  • Egyptian paper reed
  • Cyperus papyrus
  • paper plant
  • Egyptian paper rush

Other Word Forms of Papyrus

Noun

Singular:
papyrus
Plural:
papyri, papyruses

Origin of Papyrus

  • From Latin papȳrus, from Ancient Greek πάπυρος (papuros), of unknown origin.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English papirus from Latin papȳrus from Greek papūros

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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