papyrus

A New Latin Dictionary by Charlton T. Lewis Ph.D. and Charles Short, LL. D.

păpȳrus, i, m. and f., and păpȳrum, i, n., = πάπυρος, the paper-reed, papyrus.

I Lit.: papyrum ergo nascitur in palustribus Aegypti, aut quiescentibus Nili aquis ... triangulis lateribus, decem non amplius cubitorum longitudine in gracilitatem fastigatum, Plin. 13, 11, 22, § 71: in Euphrate, id. 13, 11, 22, § 73. Ships were made of it, id. ib.; Luc. 4, 136: in vasis papyri super aquas, Vulg. Isa. 18, 2; and sails and cordage from its bark, Cels. 5, 28, 12; Col. 6, 6, 4; Pall. 3, 33; also shoes, Mart. Cap. 2, § 115; Tert. Carm. ad Sen. 22; and wicks, Veg. Vet. 2, 57; the roots were used instead of wood, Plin. 13, 11, 22, § 72; and likewise for funeral piles, Mart. 10, 97, 1.—

II Transf.

A A garment made from the bark of the papyrus : succinctus patriā papyro, Juv. 4, 24.—

B Paper made of papyrus-stalk (cf.: liber, charta), Juv. 7, 101; Cat. 35, 1; Mart. 3, 2, 4.

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