n.1 any of the coherent collections of specialized cells of which animals or plants are made (muscular tissue; nervous tissue).
2 tissue-paper.
3 a disposable piece of thin soft absorbent paper for wiping, drying, etc.
4 fine woven esp. gauzy fabric.
5 (foll. by of) a connected series (a tissue of lies).
Phrases and idioms:
tissue-paper thin soft unsized paper for wrapping or protecting fragile or delicate articles.
Etymology: ME f. OF tissu rich material, past part. of tistre f. L texere weave