foolscap
Meaning
a size of paper, about 330 x 200 (or 205) mm (13 x 8 inches), traditionally identified by a watermark of a fool's cap and bells.
Structure
Usage
the official documents were printed on crisp, white foolscap.
she pulled a sheet of foolscap from the drawer to begin her draft.
the old ledger, bound in leather, was filled with handwritten entries on yellowing foolscap.
Etymology
the word 'foolscap' has a literal and heraldic origin. it derives from the combination of 'fool', referring to a jester, and 'cap', a head-covering. the term originally denoted a watermark depicting a fool's cap, often with bells, which was used as a proprietary mark by english papermakers in the 17th century. this distinctive watermark, serving as a brand identifier, eventually gave its name to the specific paper size on which it was commonly impressed. thus, the modern abstract meaning refers not to the jester's attire itself, but to the standardized paper format historically associated with that emblem.
Analysis
fool: from old french fol, meaning "fool, jester". functions as a noun modifier. s: a genitive or associative suffix in english, indicating possession or connection. cap: from latin cappa, meaning "hood, head-covering". functions as a noun, the object being described.