paper
[ pey-per ]
/ ˈpeɪ pər /
noun
a substance made from wood pulp, rags, straw, or other fibrous material, usually in thin sheets, used to bear writing or printing, for wrapping things, etc.
a piece, sheet, or leaf of this.
something resembling this substance, as papyrus.
a written or printed document or the like.
stationery; writing paper.
a newspaper or journal.
an essay, article, or dissertation on a particular topic: a paper on early Mayan artifacts.
Often papers.
a document establishing or verifying identity, status, or the like: citizenship papers.
negotiable notes, bills, etc., as commercial paper or paper money: Only silver, please, no paper.
a promissory note.
papers,
- Nautical. ship's papers.
- rolling paper.
a sheet or card of paper with pins or needles stuck through it in rows.
a set of questions for an examination, an individual set of written answers to them, or any written piece of schoolwork.
Slang.
a free pass to an entertainment.
verb (used with object)
to cover with wallpaper or apply wallpaper to: They papered the bedroom last summer.
to line or cover with paper.
to distribute handbills, posters, etc., throughout: to paper a neighborhood with campaign literature.
to fold, enclose, or wrap in paper.
to supply with paper.
Informal.
to deluge with documents, especially those requiring one to comply with certain technical procedures, as a means of legal harassment: He papered the plaintiff to force a settlement.
Slang.
to fill (a theater or the like) with spectators by giving away free tickets or passes.
Archaic.
- to write or set down on paper.
- to describe in writing.
verb (used without object)
to apply wallpaper to walls.
adjective
made of paper or paperlike material: a paper bag.
paperlike; thin, flimsy, or frail.
of, relating to, or noting routine clerical duties.
pertaining to or carried on by means of letters, articles, books, etc.: a paper war.
written or printed on paper.
existing in theory or principle only and not in reality: paper profits.
indicating the first event of a series, as a wedding anniversary.
Slang.
including many patrons admitted on free passes, as an audience for a theatrical performance: It's a paper house tonight.
Verb Phrases
paper over,
to patch up or attempt to conceal (a difference, disagreement, etc.) so as to preserve a friendship, present a unified opinion, etc.: to paper over a dispute.
Idioms for paper
- in written or printed form.
- in theory rather than in practice.
- existing only in a preliminary state; in a plan or design: The university building program is still only on paper.
on paper,
Origin of paper
OTHER WORDS FROM paper
pa·per·less, adjective pa·per·like, adjective re·pa·per, verb (used with object) un·pa·pered, adjectiveWords nearby paper
papaw,
papaya,
papeete,
papelera,
papen,
paper,
paper birch,
paper chase,
paper chromatography,
paper clip,
paper cutter
Words related to papers
citation,
summons,
voucher,
file,
deed,
id,
certificate,
grant,
archive,
instrument,
passport,
indictment,
warrant,
diploma,
plea,
credentials,
data,
dossier,
bill,
affidavit
Example sentences from the Web for papers
Even then, most of us doubted he would show up and actually sign the papers allowing him to enter the 1992 New Hampshire primary.
But Bush has done exactly that, filing the papers for BH Global Aviation with the SEC right around Thanksgiving.
It may be that some hagiographer yet to come will find the stained sheets of fact and memory amid his papers.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days |David Freeman |December 13, 2014 |DAILY BEAST“They were essentially living out of the car,” the papers said.
Just two days later, the papers began what can only be described as a love affair with Mustafa Kemal Pasha (later Atatürk).
According to the Journal des Débats, the greatest part of these papers have never been printed.
When we were done he pulled his papers before him and sat looking at them dully.
Hurricane Island |H. B. Marriott WatsonInside, a sweating adjutant toiled at a mass of papers on the desk before him.
Our Casualty And Other Stories |James Owen Hannay, AKA George A. BirminghamIn this respect, the papers of Kenton City were the most flagrant offenders.
The Lieutenant-Governor |Guy Wetmore CarrylHe went on reading the papers and presently exclaimed: Its a frame-up.
Under Cover |Roi Cooper Megrue
British Dictionary definitions for papers
paper
/ (ˈpeɪpə) /
noun
a substance made from cellulose fibres derived from rags, wood, etc, often with other additives, and formed into flat thin sheets suitable for writing on, decorating walls, wrapping, etc
Related adjective: papyraceous
a single piece of such material, esp if written or printed on
(usually plural)
documents for establishing the identity of the bearer; credentials
Also called: ship's papers (plural)
official documents relating to the ownership, cargo, etc, of a ship
(plural)
collected diaries, letters, etc
government See white paper, green paper, command paper
a lecture or short published treatise on a specific subject
a short essay, as by a student
- a set of written examination questions
- the student's answers
commerce See commercial paper
theatre slang
a free ticket
on paper
in theory, as opposed to fact
it was a good idea on paper, but failed in practice
adjective
made of paper
paper cups do not last long
thin like paper
paper walls
(prenominal)
existing only as recorded on paper but not yet in practice
paper profits; paper expenditure
taking place in writing
paper battles
verb
to cover (walls) with wallpaper
(tr)
to cover or furnish with paper
(tr) theatre slang
to fill (a performance) by giving away free tickets (esp in the phrase paper the house)
See also
paper over
Derived forms of paper
paperer, nounWord Origin for paper
C14: from Latin
papyrus
Idioms and Phrases with papers
paper
In addition to the idiom beginning with paper
- paper over
also see:
- on paper
- push paper
- walking papers