papier-mache
Noun: A material consisting of paper pulp, often mixed with an adhesive like glue or paste, that becomes moldable when wet and hardens into a rigid, paintable structure when dry. It is used for creating sculptures, masks, decorative objects, and theatrical props.
Papier-mâché is used as a singular, uncountable noun to refer to the material itself. It describes the composite substance, not the finished object. - The artist sculpted the large horse head from papier-mâché. - Papier-mâché is a popular and inexpensive craft material for children's projects. - The process involves soaking strips of newspaper in a paste to create papier-mâché.
- The festival float was decorated with colorful papier-mâché animals.
- We learned how to make a papier-mâché piñata in art class.
- Traditional Carnival masks in Venice are often made of papier-mâché.
- Used attributively (as a noun modifier) to describe objects made from the material.
- She collects papier-mâché boxes.
- The theater has a collection of antique papier-mâché props.
- Paper-mache: An alternative, often hyphenated, spelling of .
- Carton-pierre: A historical material similar to papier-mâché, used for decorative architectural elements, meaning "stone cardboard" in French.
- Paper pulp (specifically the raw material before forming).
- Composite material (a broader, more technical term).
The term is borrowed directly from French, where papier mâché literally means "chewed paper." It refers specifically to the malleable pulp mixture and the craft technique, not to ordinary paper or cardboard.
- a substance made from paper pulp that can be molded when wet and painted when dry