ˈtissue-ˈpaper
[See quot. 1880, which may be correct; but earlier authority is wanted.]
A very thin soft gauze-like unsized paper, used for wrapping delicate articles, for covering engravings or other illustrations in books, as copying-paper, etc.
Various grades are distinguished, as silver tissue, specially prepared for wrapping silver ware; copying tissue, for copying letters, etc.; printing tissue: see tissue n. 6.
| 1777 Henly in Phil. Trans. LXVII. 114 A number of circular pieces of tissue-paper. 1815 J. Smith Panorama Sc. & Art II. 161 The paper must be of that kind called tissue or silver paper. 1854 Phemie Millar 24 Encasing in tissue paper a set of ivory handled knives. 1865 Lowell Wks. (1890) V. 285 Leaping through a hoop with nothing more substantial to resist than tissue-paper. 1880 G. C. M. Birdwood Ind. Arts II. 75 The flimsy paper called tissue-paper was originally made to place between the tissue to prevent its fraying or tarnishing when folded. |