Meanings
papyros1
plural papyroi
- countableuncountableSynonym of papyrus.
We have in this book [Egyptian Magic by E. A. Wallis Budge] dozens of excerpts from magical papyroi, tomb inscriptions and other sources.
1974, The Astrological Magazine, volume 63, page 122, column 25 more examples
The famous “Papyros Ebers,” which was written during the reign of the Egyptian king Bicheres, 3,500 years ago, was discovered by the celebrated archeologist, Georg Ebers in 1872, when an Arab brought him a metallic case containing a papyros roll enveloped in mummy cloths, which he claimed had been discovered between the bones of a mummy in a tomb of the Theban Necropolis.
1901, The Canada Medical Record, volume 29, page 192Another example from the same mould has the mask of a slave of comedy in one hand and a papyros roll in the other, so that it was presumably a present to a victorious comic poet.
1966, T[homas] B[ertram] L[onsdale] Webster, The Art of Greece: The Age of Hellenism (Art of the World, European Cultures: The Historical, Sociological and Religious Backgrounds), New York, N.Y.: Crown Publishers, Inc., →LCCN, page 98[…] as may be seen with several representations in Egyptian papyros. The large swamps of the Nile delta with their thickets of lotus, papyros and reed, were favourite hunting grounds in Ancient Egypt. The papyros plants themselves were important for the fibre they supplied, used in the making of indispensable writing material and the construction of light papyros boats for hunting and fishing. […] Wild geese and ducks in flight from the papyros thickets are among the most impressive pictures of fauna in Egyptian art.
1980, Erich Hobusch, Fair Game: A History of Hunting, Shooting, and Animal Conservation, Arco Publishing, Inc., →ISBN, page 45Finally, finds, such as the clay stamp of a papyros and the silver sheet, are related to the use of the building for the worship of the Mother Goddess.
1991, Το Αρχαιολογικο εργο στη Μακεδονια και Θρακη, volume 5, Aristotelio Panepistēmio Thessalonikēs, page 4“Why would anyone loot a papyros shop?” / “As valuable as papyros is, it does not have street value like jewels or olive oil or wine. If the shop were attacked, it would be as an act of vengeance against Greeks.”
2008, Paul R. Brenner, Abominations, [Bloomington, Ind.]: Xlibris, →ISBNSynonyms: papyrus
papyros2
- alternativeAlternative form of papirosa.
“Perhaps, Sir,” said the poor fellow, “you will accept of a papyros?” “Not I!” said the officer. “I want none of your—Eh? What?” continued he, casting his eye upon the papyros.
1858, John Gadsby, A Trip to Sebastopol, Out and Home, by Way of Vienna, the Danube, Odessa, Constantinople, and Athens. Together with Some Account of Russia and the Russians, […], 2nd edition, London: Gadsby, […], page 512 more examples
He paid so regularly, was so content with his meals, and so careful of his clothes; never had any noisy parties; only now and then a visitor, as quiet and retiring as himself, would call in to drink a glass of tea and smoke a papyros of an evening with her “golden” lodger.
1868, H. C. Romanoff, Sketches of the Rites and Customs of the Greco-Russian Church, London; Oxford, Oxon; Cambridge, Cambs.: Rivingtons, page 183The reason of this is that in Russia every body smokes, and provision is made accordingly. Save the church, no place is here sacred from the weed. The papyros is no respector of domestic sanctities. […] The silver or gold papyros case is much more indispensable than a fan to a lady mixing in society. To be without cigars is to be careless of one’s reputation. For a guest, lady or gentleman, to decline a papyros, is one of the most serious social offences that can be committed.
1882, “Notes and Queries”, in David W[endel] Yandell, Theophilus Parvin, editors, The American Practitioner: A Monthly Journal of Medicine and Surgery, volume XXVI, Louisville, Ky.: John P. Morton and Company; Indianapolis, Ind.: Cathcart & Cleland, pages 377–378
Synonyms & antonyms
nounSynonym of papyrus.
Origin
- Ancient Greekπάπυρος
- Englishpapyros
From Ancient Greek πάπυρος (pápuros). Doublet of papyrus.
More words from Ancient Greek
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
papyros. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/papyros
“papyros.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/papyros. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “papyros,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/papyros.
Source: papyros on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.