foolscap
Americannoun
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a type of inexpensive writing paper, especially legal-size, lined, yellow sheets, bound in tablet form.
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Chiefly British. a size of drawing or printing paper, 13.5 × 17 inches (34 × 43 centimeters). cap., fcp.
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Also called foolscap octavo. a size of book, about 4.25 × 6.75 inches (11 × 17 centimeters), untrimmed.
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Also called foolscap quarto. Chiefly British. a size of book, about 6.75 × 8.5 inches (17 × 22 centimeters) untrimmed.
noun
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a size of writing or printing paper, 13 1/ 2 by 17 inches or 13 1/ 4 by 16 1/ 2 inches
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a book size, 4 1/ 4 by 6 3/ 4 inches ( foolscap octavo ) or (chiefly Brit) 6 3/ 4 by 8 1/ 2 inches ( foolscap quarto )
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a variant spelling of fool's cap
Etymology
Origin of foolscap
First recorded in 1690–1700; so called from the watermark of a fool's cap formerly used on such paper
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It consists of calculations etched largely in ink on yellowed leaves of foolscap and squared paper, with 26 pages in Einstein’s handwriting, 25 pages in Besso’s and three containing entries from both scientists.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 22, 2021
The map runs to sixteen laminated foolscap pages, or about ten square feet, when I tile the pages together.
From The New Yorker ● May 23, 2019
Denis MacShane, a Labour former Europe minister, saw some of the letters - written on large foolscap paper with heavy black ink - during his time at the Foreign Office.
From BBC ● May 12, 2015
Students had to provide their own paper to write their exams, and one day he found himself without even a few pennies to buy the necessary sheets of foolscap.
From New York Times ● Dec. 22, 2011
This marked-up manuscript was then given to Laloo Chiba, who spent the next night transferring my writing to his own almost microscopic shorthand, reducing ten pages of foolscap to a single small piece of paper.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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