[pa.per] n [ME papir, fr. MF papier, fr. L papyrus papyrus, paper, fr. Gk papyros papyrus] (14c) 1 a (1): a felted sheet of usu. vegetable fibers laid down on a fine screen from a water suspension (2): a similar sheet of other material (as plastic) b: a piece of paper
2. a: a piece of paper containing a written or printed statement: document "pedigree ~s" b: a piece of paper containing writing or print c: a formal written composition often designed for publication and often intended to be read aloud "presented a scholarly ~ at the meeting" d: a piece of written schoolwork
3: a paper container or wrapper
4: newspaper
5: the negotiable notes or instruments of commerce
6: wallpaper 7: tickets; esp: free passes 8: paperback -- on paper 1: in writing "wants these promises on paper"
2: in theory "the plan looks good on paper"
3: figured at face value "on paper the stock was worth nearly a million dollars"
[2]paper vb pa.pered ; pa.per.ing vt (1594) 1 archaic: to put down or describe in writing
2: to fold or enclose in paper
3: to cover or line with paper; esp: to apply wallpaper to
4: to fill by giving out free passes "~ the theater for opening night"
5: to cover (an area) with advertising bills, circulars, or posters ~ vi: to hang wallpaper -- pa.per.er n [3]paper adj (1594) 1 a: made of paper, paperboard, or papier-mache "a ~ bag" b: papery
2: of or relating to clerical work or written communication
3: existing only in theory: nominal "a ~ blockade"
4: admitted by free passes "a ~ audience"
5: finished with a crisp smooth surface similar to that of paper "~ taffeta"