Papyraceous
/ˌpæpɪˈreɪʃəs/noun
Resembling papyrus in texture, appearance, or structure.
Did you know?Papyrus was used for religious and funerary texts in ancient Egypt, including copies of the Book of the Dead, although the plant’s name has an uncertain ultimate origin.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
πάπυρος (pápyros)
“Papyrus, the tall reed-like plant used to make writing material; the ultimate origin is uncertain.”
Classical Latin
Latin
papyrus
“Papyrus plant or writing sheet made from it.”
Late Latin
Latin
papyrāceus
“Made of papyrus or resembling papyrus, formed with the adjectival suffix -āceus.”
Middle English
English
papir / paper
“Writing material derived through Old French and Latin from papyrus.”
17th Century
New Latin
papyraceus
“Papyrus-like; the learned botanical and zoological form from which English papyraceous was adopted.”
Modern English
English
papyraceous
“Resembling papyrus, especially in being thin, dry, or paper-like.”
Explore more surprising origins