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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | papier, from Latin papyrus; PAPYRUS |
Related topics:
1 material in the form of thin sheets that is used for writing on, wrapping things etc 
recycled papera box wrapped in plain brown paper
for writing/wrapping
[uncountable]TD scrap/slip of paper (=a small piece of paper)
recycled papera box wrapped in plain brown paper2 a newspaper : Have you seen today's paper? You'll read about it in tomorrow's papers.
newspaper
[countable]TCNHave you seen today's paper?You'll read about it in tomorrow's papers.3
documents/letters
papers
[plural]a) BBTC pieces of paper with writing on them that you use in your work, at meetings etc : I left some important papers in my briefcase.
I left some important papers in my briefcase.b) TC documents and letters concerning someone's private or public life : While I was organizing Simon's papers I came across his diaries.
While I was organizing Simon's papers I came across his diaries.d) PGC official documents such as your passport, identity card etc : My papers are all in order (=they are legal and correct). ➔ White Paper, green paper, order paper
My papers are all in order (=they are legal and correct).4
on paper
a) TC if you put ideas or information on paper, you write them down
b) if something seems true on paper, it seems to be true as an idea, but may not be true in a real situation [= in theory]: It's a nice idea on paper, but you'll never get it to work.
It's a nice idea on paper, but you'll never get it to work.5 a set of printed questions used as an examination in a particular subject, and the answers people write : an exam paper I have a stack of papers to mark.
examination
[countable] British Englishan exam paperI have a stack of papers to mark.6 a piece of writing or a talk on a particular subject by someone who has made a study of it : a scientific paper
speech/piece of writing
[countable]a scientific paper7 a piece of writing that is done as part of a course at school or university [= essay]
piece of schoolwork
[countable] especially American English paper on a paper on the Civil War
a paper on the Civil War8 a report prepared by a government or committee on a question they have been considering or a proposal for changes in the law :
official publication
[countable] paper on the 1998 White Paper on political reform
the 1998 White Paper on political reform9 paper for covering and decorating the walls of a room [= wallpaper]: a floral paper
for walls
[uncountable and countable]TBDHa floral paper10 stocks and shares that can be bought and sold on a financial market
financial
[uncountable and countable]11 soft thin paper used for cleaning yourself after you have used the toilet [= toilet paper, toilet roll]
toilet
[uncountable]12 if something such as a contract is not worth the paper it is written on, it has no value because whatever is promised in it will not happen
