papers

pa·per  (ppr)

n.

1. A material made of cellulose pulp, derived mainly from wood, rags, and certain grasses, processed into flexible sheets or rolls by deposit from an aqueous suspension, and used chiefly for writing, printing, drawing, wrapping, and covering walls.

2. A single sheet of this material.

3. One or more sheets of paper bearing writing or printing, especially:

a. A formal written composition intended to be published, presented, or read aloud; a scholarly essay or treatise.

b. A piece of written work for school; a report or theme.

c. An official document, especially one establishing the identity of the bearer. Often used in the plural.

4. papers A collection of letters, diaries, and other writings, especially by one person: the Madison papers.

5. Commercial documents that represent value and can be transferred from owner to owner; negotiable instruments considered as a group: "billions more invested in American stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit, and other paper" (Christian Science Monitor).

6. A newspaper.

7. Wallpaper.

8. A wrapper made of paper, often with its contents: a paper of pins.

9. Slang

a. A free pass to a theater.

b. The audience admitted with free passes.

tr.v. pa·pered, pa·per·ing, pa·pers

1. To cover, wrap, or line with paper.

2. To cover with wallpaper.

3. To supply with paper.

4. Slang To issue free passes for (a theater, for example).

5. To construct (something) in haste and with little forethought: papered together a new coalition of political convenience.

adj.

1. Made of paper.

2. Resembling paper, as in thinness or flimsiness.

3. Of or relating to clerical work: paper duties.

4.

a. Existing only in printed or written form: paper profits; a paper corporation.

b. Planned but not realized; theoretical.

Phrasal Verb:

paper over

1. To put or keep out of sight; conceal: paper over a deficit with accounting gimmicks.

2. To downplay or gloss over (differences, for example), especially in order to maintain a nominal, apparent, or temporary unity.

Idioms:

in paper

With a paperback binding; as a paperback.

on paper

1. In writing or print.

2. In theory, as opposed to actual performance or fact: It is a good team on paper, but its members play poorly together.

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[Middle English, from Old French papier, from Latin paprus, papyrus plant, papyrus paper, from Greek papros.]

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paper·er n.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

papers - writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature) document, written document piece of writing, written material, writing - the work of a writer; anything expressed in letters of the alphabet (especially when considered from the point of view of style and effect); "the writing in her novels is excellent"; "that editorial was a fine piece of writing" clause, article - a separate section of a legal document (as a statute or contract or will) preamble - a preliminary introduction to a statute or constitution (usually explaining its purpose) ballot - a document listing the alternatives that is used in voting brevet - a document entitling a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily (but without higher pay) capitulation - a document containing the terms of surrender certificate, credential, credentials, certification - a document attesting to the truth of certain stated facts charter - a document incorporating an institution and specifying its rights; includes the articles of incorporation and the certificate of incorporation commercial document, commercial instrument - a document of or relating to commerce confession - a written document acknowledging an offense and signed by the guilty party copyright, right of first publication - a document granting exclusive right to publish and sell literary or musical or artistic work inclosure, enclosure - something (usually a supporting document) that is enclosed in an envelope with a covering letter form - a printed document with spaces in which to write; "he filled out his tax form" legal document, legal instrument, official document, instrument - (law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right papyrus - a document written on papyrus patent, patent of invention - a document granting an inventor sole rights to an invention political platform, political program, platform, program - a document stating the aims and principles of a political party; "their candidate simply ignored the party platform"; "they won the election even though they offered no positive program" resignation - a formal document giving notice of your intention to resign; "he submitted his resignation as of next month" resolution, resolve, declaration - a formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote source - a document (or organization) from which information is obtained; "the reporter had two sources for the story" specification - (patent law) a document drawn up by the applicant for a patent of invention that provides an explicit and detailed description of the nature and use of an invention voucher - a document that serves as evidence of some expenditure report, written report, study - a written document describing the findings of some individual or group; "this accords with the recent study by Hill and Dale"

Translations

papers [ˈpeɪpəz] npl (also: identity papers) → carte fpl; documenti mpl