Dictionary

papyrus

noun pa·py·rus \pə-ˈpī-rəs\

: a tall plant that is like grass and that grows in marshes especially in Egypt

: paper made from papyrus that was used in ancient times

: a piece of paper made from papyrus that has writing on it

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

Full Definition of PAPYRUS

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
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Illustration of PAPYRUS

Origin of PAPYRUS

Middle English, from Latin — more at paper
First Known Use: 14th century

Other Paper Terms

folio, palimpsest, quire, ream

Rhymes with PAPYRUS

PAPYRUSES Defined for Kids

papyrus

noun pa·py·rus \pə-ˈpī-rəs\
plural pa·py·rus·es or pa·py·ri \-rē, -ˌrī\

Definition of PAPYRUS for Kids

1
:  a tall African plant related to the grasses that grows especially in Egypt
2
:  a material like paper used by ancient people to write on

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