Collins English-English Dictionary

paper ['peɪpə]

1. 1. n a substance made from cellulose fibres derived from rags, wood, etc, often with other additives, and formed into flat thin sheets suitable for writing on, decorating walls, wrapping, etc

2. 2. n [plural] ship's papers official documents relating to the ownership, cargo, etc, of a ship

3. 3. n a single piece of such material, esp if written or printed on

4. 4. n [usually plural] documents for establishing the identity of the bearer; credentials

5. 5. n [plural] collected diaries, letters, etc

6. 6. n See newspaper

7. 7. n See white paper green paper command paper

8. 8. n [government] a lecture or short published treatise on a specific subject

9. 9. n a short essay, as by a student

10. 10. n a set of written examination questions

11. 11. n the student's answers

12. 12. n See commercial paper

13. 13. n [commerce] [theatre] [slang] a free ticket

14. 14. adj made of paper

    paper cups do not last long

15. 15. adj thin like paper

    paper walls

16. 16. adj [prenominal] existing only as recorded on paper but not yet in practice

    paper profits

    paper expenditure

17. 17. adj taking place in writing

    paper battles

18. 18. vb to cover (walls) with wallpaper

19. 19. vt. [tr] to cover or furnish with paper

20. 20. vt. [tr] [theatre] [slang] to fill (a performance) by giving away free tickets (esp in the phrase paper the house)

21. 21. vt. See also paper over

22. 22. vt. [Etymology] C14: from Latin papyrus