Paper
/ˈpeɪ.pər/noun
A material made of cellulose pulp, used for writing, printing, and packaging.
Did you know?The ancient Egyptians used a form of paper made from papyrus, which was considered sacred and used for important texts, linking writing to the divine.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Egyptian
Egyptian
p3-ḥḏ
“The plant known as papyrus, used for writing material.”
Greek
Greek
papuros
“A term for the papyrus plant, which was essential for creating early forms of paper.”
Latin
Latin
papyrus
“The plant from which the first writing material was derived, symbolizing knowledge.”
14th Century
Middle English
paper
“Material made from processed fibers, introducing the concept of written communication widely.”
Modern English
English
paper
“A common medium for writing and printing, evolving from sacred origins to everyday use.”