pamphlet

[ pam-flit ]

noun

1. a complete publication of generally less than 80 pages stitched or stapled together and usually having a paper cover.
2. a short treatise or essay, generally a controversial tract, on some subject of contemporary interest:

   a political pamphlet.

pamphlet

/ ˈpæmflɪt /

noun

1. a brief publication generally having a paper cover; booklet
2. a brief treatise, often on a subject of current interest, published in pamphlet form

Other Words From

• pamphlet·ary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pamphlet¹

1375–1425; late Middle English pamflet < Anglo-Latin panfletus, pamfletus, syncopated variant of Pamphiletus, diminutive of Medieval Latin Pamphilus, title of a 12th-century Latin comedy. See -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of pamphlet¹

C14 pamflet, from Anglo-Latin panfletus, from Medieval Latin Pamphilus title of a popular 12th-century amatory poem from Greek Pamphilos masculine proper name

Example Sentences

On Monday, millions of Swedes will start receiving copies of a pamphlet advising the population how to prepare and cope in the event of war or other unexpected crises.

From BBC

During the 1990 midterm elections, a group led by Gingrich issued pamphlets among Republicans encouraging them to label their opponents with words like "destroy," "collapse," "traitors," "decay" and "sick" as a key mechanism of persuasion.

From Salon

Tens of thousands of people have taken part in the search, which has spawned a huge secondary literature in books, pamphlets and Internet sites.

From BBC

Lying on the floor and stuck to the walls were blood-stained handwritten pamphlets left behind by the rebels.

From BBC

In 1940, his wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, published a pamphlet entitled ”The Wave of the Future: A Confession of Faith,” which quickly became a best-seller with the America First crowd.

From Salon

Related Words

• brochure
• bulletin
• flyer
• folder
• handout
• leaflet
• tract