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). tissue-paper thin soft unsized paper for wrapping or protecting fragile or delicate articles.
[ ME f. OF tissu rich material, past part. of tistre f. L texere weave ]