Dictionary Definition
stationery n : paper cut to an appropriate size
for writing letters; usually with matching envelopes [syn: letter
paper]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Homophones
Noun
Usage notes
- Do not confuse stationery with stationary.
Translations
writing materials
- French: papeterie
- Italian: cancelleria
- Japanese: 文房具 (bunbōgu)
Extensive Definition
confuse Stationary
Stationery is a general name given to paper and office
supplies such as envelopes, notepads, pens, pencils, erasers, greeting
cards, paper clips,
thumbtacks, staples,
etc. The term "stationery" is frequently used to refer more
specifically to paper used for written correspondence (usually
decorated or personalized), sometimes with matching
envelopes.
Originally the term "stationery" referred to all
products sold by a stationer, whose name indicates that his book
shop was on a fixed spot, usually near a university, and permanent,
while medieval trading was mainly ambulant, by peddlers (including chapmen, who sold books) and
others (such as farmers and craftsmen) at non-permanent markets
such as fairs. It was a
special of term used between the 13th and 15th centuries in the
Manuscript
culture.
- By extension the term has been applied to decorative backgrounds that may be attached to E-mail correspondence (though this has never found favour) or to describe templates typically used by home users in desktop publishing software to make, for example, party invitations.
- The word is sometimes confused with the homophone adjective stationary, meaning "not moving", which is also derived from Latin statio. Mnemonics are "stationery has an e for envelope" pen and pencils; and "stationers" sell "stationery".
Gallery
stationery in Arabic: قرطاسية
stationery in Hungarian: Stationarius
stationery in Malay (macrolanguage): Alat
tulis
stationery in Japanese: 文房具
stationery in Polish: Stationarius
stationery in Vietnamese: Văn phòng phẩm
stationery in Chinese: 文具