from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Pamphlet \Pam"phlet\ (p[a^]m"fl[e^]t), n. [OE. pamflet,
pamfilet, paunflet, possibly fr. OF. palme the palm of the
hand, F. paume (see {Palm}) + OF. fueillet a leaf, dim. of
fueil, m., F. feuille, f., fr. L. folium, pl. folia, thus
meaning, a leaf to be held in the hand; or perh. through old
French, fr. L. Pamphila, a female historian of the first
century who wrote many epitomes; prob., however, fr. OF.
Pamflette, the Old French name given to Pamphilus, a poem in
Latin verse of the 12th century, pamphlets being named from
the popularity of this poem.]
1. A writing; a book. --Testament of love.
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Sir Thomas More in his pamphlet of Richard the
Third. --Ascham.
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2. A small book consisting of a few sheets of printed paper,
stitched together, often with a paper cover, but not
bound; a short essay or written discussion, usually on a
subject of current interest.
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