/foohlz"kap'/ , n.
1. a type of inexpensive writing paper, esp. legal-size, lined, yellow sheets, bound in tablet form.
2. Chiefly Brit. a size of drawing or printing paper, 13 1 / 2 × 17 in. (34 × 43 cm). Abbr.: cap., fcp.
3. Also called foolscap octavo . a size of book, about 4 1 / 4 × 6 3 / 4 in. (11 × 17 cm), untrimmed.
4. Also called foolscap quarto . Chiefly Brit. a size of book, about 6 3 / 4 × 8 1 / 2 in. (17 × 22 cm) untrimmed.
5. See fool's cap (def. 1).
[ 1690-1700; so called from the watermark of a fool's cap formerly used on such paper ]