papyrus

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pa·py·rus / pəˈpīrəs/ • n. (pl. papyri / -rī/ or papyruses ) 1. a material prepared in ancient Egypt from the pithy stem of a water plant, used in sheets throughout the ancient Mediterranean world for writing or painting on and also for making rope, sandals, and boats. ∎  a document written on papyrus. 2. the tall aquatic sedge (Cyperus papyrus) from which this material is obtained, native to central Africa and the Nile valley.

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