pəˈpīrəs, ÷ ˈpapə̇r-, ÷ ˈpapēr- noun
( plural papyrus·es -sə̇z ; or papy·ri ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷(ˌ)rē, -ˌrī; ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌrē, -ˌrī)
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English papirus, from Medieval Latin, from Latin papyrus — more at paper
1. : a tall sedge ( Cyperus papyrus ) of the Nile valley having a smooth triangular stem, a large compound umbel with drooping rays, and fiber that served many uses in historic times — called also paper reed, paper rush
2.
a. : the pith of the papyrus plant
b. : a substance prepared from the pith of the papyrus plant by cutting it in longitudinal strips, arranging them crosswise in two or three layers, soaking them in water, and pressing them into a homogeneous surface and used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans as a writing material especially between the 4th century B.C. and the 4th century A.D.
c. : a sheet or roll of this material
3.
a. : a writing on papyrus
b. : a written scroll made of papyrus
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