Cartone

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of cardboard used for packaging or protective materials, often characterized by its lightweight yet sturdy construction
2. A stiff, thick paperboard commonly employed in crafting or model-making due to its durability and versatility
3. A material made from recycled pulp or paper, frequently utilized for creating various containers and displays

Etymology: Italian "cartone" is the augmentative of "carta" (paper), so it means something like "big paper" or heavy paper. "Carta" itself comes from Latin "charta," borrowed from Greek "khartes," originally the papyrus reed. The "-one" ending is the Italian suffix that enlarges a noun, so a "cartone" is a thick, stiff version of ordinary paper. English took the word in the sense of heavy board, and it has since been used for cardboard, for the cardboard model or sketch made by an artist, and for the box made from it. Its modern English sense of a sheet of drawing or painting material is a close relative of this older use, since artists historically made full-size preparatory drawings on heavy paper before transferring them to a canvas or wall.

Synonyms: cartoon, sketch, drawing