papyrus etymology

Etymology

The word "papyrus" comes from the ancient Greek word "πάπυρος" (papyros), which itself comes from the Ancient Egyptian word "pa-per-aa", meaning "the plant of the river".

Meaning and Origin

Papyrus is a type of paper-like material made from the stems of the papyrus plant (Cyperus papyrus). The plant is a reed native to the Nile River delta in Egypt. The stems of the plant were cut into thin strips and then pressed together to form sheets of paper.

Papyrus was first used as a writing material in ancient Egypt around 3000 BC. It was used to write religious texts, administrative documents, and literary works. Papyrus was also used to make scrolls, which were long sheets of paper that were rolled up for storage and transportation.

The use of papyrus spread to other parts of the world, including Greece, Rome, and China. However, with the invention of parchment and paper in the Middle Ages, the use of papyrus declined and eventually stopped.

Papyrus is still used today for a variety of purposes, including the production of high-quality paper for art and writing, as well as for making traditional crafts and decorations.

papyrus relate terms

• paper

  Etymology The word paper originates from the Coptic word papyrus which refers to a w

• papyrus

  Etymology The word papyrus comes from the ancient Greek word πάπυρος papyros

• taper

  Etymology Late Latin taperium taper Old French taper to tap Latin tappare t

• papyrus

  Etymology The word papyrus comes from the ancient Greek word πάπυρος papyros

• Byblos

  Etymology The name Byblos is derived from the Greek word Βύβλος Byblos which

• pail

  Etymology The word pail derives from the Old French word paele 12th century which

• parchment

  Etymology The word parchment comes from the Old French word parchemin which in turn

• schedule

  Etymology Old French eschedual Latin schedula Greek schedē a writing tablet Mea

• page

  Etymology The word page originates from the Latin word pagina which referred to a si

• card

  Etymology The word card derives from the Latin word charta which originally meant

• sedge

  Etymology Middle English segge segge from Old English secg from Proto West Germanic

• document

  Etymology The word document originates from the Latin word documentum which means p

• reed

  Etymology of Reed Old English rēod Proto Germanic reudaz Proto Indo European hr

• rush

  Etymology The word rush has two distinct etymological origins Germanic origin Poss