The word "papered" is spelled with a "d" at the end, but it is pronounced as if it were spelled with a "t": /ˈpeɪpərt/. This is because the final "ed" in "papered" is pronounced as the voiceless "t" sound when it follows an unvoiced consonant (in this case, the "p" sound). The IPA phonetic transcription helps to clarify the pronunciation of this word and other words in English that have irregular spellings and pronunciations.
Papered is a verb that refers to the act of applying or covering something with paper. It can also signify putting up wallpaper or pasting paper on walls, ceilings, or other surfaces for decorative or practical purposes. The term denotes the action of affixing paper onto a particular object or area, often as a means of protection, embellishment, or as a covering to conceal imperfections.
In a literal sense, papered typically involves using adhesive to attach paper or wallpaper to a designated surface, creating a smooth and uniform appearance. This process may involve meticulously aligning the paper to ensure a consistent pattern or design, and securing the edges and corners to prevent peeling or tearing.
However, the term can also be used metaphorically, to describe a temporary solution or patchwork approach to a problem. For instance, one might say they "papered over" an issue, meaning they addressed it temporarily or superficially without fully resolving the underlying problem.
Overall, papered is a versatile verb that encapsulates the act of applying paper or wallpaper to various surfaces, whether for decorative purposes or as a temporary fix.
Covered with paper.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "papered" is derived from the noun "paper", which comes from the Middle English word "paper" or "papire" and has its roots in the Old French word "papier" and Latin word "papyrus". "Papyrus" referred to the writing material made from the pith of the papyrus plant in ancient Egypt. Over time, the noun "paper" began to be used as a verb, giving rise to the term "papered". When used as a verb, "papered" typically means to cover or decorate with paper, such as wallpapering a wall, or to provide official documentation or identification on paper. The etymology of "papered" can therefore be traced back to its origins in the material and its usage.