foolscap

[ foolz-kap ]

noun

1. a type of inexpensive writing paper, especially legal-size, lined, yellow sheets, bound in tablet form.
2. Chiefly British. a size of drawing or printing paper, 13.5 × 17 inches (34 × 43 centimeters). : cap., fcp.
3. Also called fools·cap oc·ta·vo [foolz, -kap ok-, tey, -voh, -, tah, -]. a size of book, about 4.25 × 6.75 inches (11 × 17 centimeters), untrimmed.
4. Also called fools·cap quar·to [foolz, -kap , kwawr, -toh]. Chiefly British. a size of book, about 6.75 × 8.5 inches (17 × 22 centimeters) untrimmed.
5. fool's cap ( def 1 ).

foolscap

/ ˈfuːlzˌkæp /

noun

1. a size of writing or printing paper, 13 1 2 by 17 inches or 13 1 4 by 16 1 2 inches
2. 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 )
3. See fool's cap
   a variant spelling of fool's cap

Word History and Origins

Origin of foolscap¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; so called from the watermark of a fool's cap formerly used on such paper

Word History and Origins

Origin of foolscap¹

C17: see fool ¹, cap ; so called from the watermark formerly used on this kind of paper

Example Sentences

Put away that great pile of foolscap and talk to me; Im as full of talk as an egg is full of meat.

From Project Gutenberg

Opening the envelope, he took out the piece of foolscap, on which was neither date nor name of place.

From Project Gutenberg

As he did so a folded sheet of foolscap, which had been lodged between the drawer and the side of the desk, fell to the floor.

From Project Gutenberg

I remember writing out the message in a clear, bold hand, and addressing the foolscap envelope in the same way.

From Project Gutenberg

We visited Theodore, and through him received from Mr. S. about three hundred Turkish pounds in return for foolscap-paper cheques.

From Project Gutenberg