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papyrus

papyrus

noun pah-pee-ROOS Rare
Arts & Culture Traditions

Usage Note

Papyrus is both the plant (Cyperus papyrus) and the writing material made from it in ancient Egypt. In French it is invariable in spelling for the plural (des papyrus). It is the etymological source of the French word papier (paper) and, by extension, of the English word 'paper' as well.

Examples

"Les anciens Égyptiens écrivaient sur du papyrus."

Natural Translation

The ancient Egyptians wrote on papyrus.

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