papyrus (redirected from papyri)

pa·py·rus  (p-prs)

n. pl. pa·py·rus·es or pa·py·ri (-r)

1. A tall, aquatic, Mediterranean sedge (Cyperus papyrus) having numerous drooping rays grouped in umbels. Also called Egyptian paper rush, paper plant.

2.

a. A material on which to write made from the pith or the stems of this sedge, used especially by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans.

b. A document written on this material.

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[Middle English papirus, from Latin paprus, from Greek papros.]

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papyrus [pəˈpaɪrəs]

n pl -ri [-raɪ], -ruses

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) a tall aquatic cyperaceous plant, Cyperus papyrus, of S Europe and N and central Africa with small green-stalked flowers arranged like umbrella spokes around the stem top

2. (Communication Arts / Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) a kind of paper made from the stem pith of this plant, used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans

3. (Communication Arts / Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) an ancient document written on this paper

[via Latin from Greek papūros reed used in making paper]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	papyrus - paper made from the papyrus plant by cutting it in strips and pressing it flat; used by ancient Egyptians and Greeks and Romans paper - a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
	2.	papyrus - tall sedge of the Nile valley yielding fiber that served many purposes in historic times Cyperus papyrus, Egyptian paper reed, Egyptian paper rush, paper plant, paper rush sedge - grasslike or rushlike plant growing in wet places having solid stems, narrow grasslike leaves and spikelets of inconspicuous flowers Cyperus, genus Cyperus - type genus of Cyperaceae; grasslike rhizomatous herbs; cosmopolitan except very cold regions
	3.	papyrus - a document written on papyrus document, papers, written document - writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

Translations

papyrus [pəˈpaɪərəs] N (papyruses or papyri (pl)) [pəˈpaɪəraɪ] → papiro m

papyrus

n pl <papyri> (= plant) → Papyrusstaude f, → Papyrus m; (= paper) → Papyrus m; (= scroll) → Papyrusrolle f, → Papyrus m