Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A tough, usually brown paper made from wood pulp treated with a solution of sodium sulfate, used chiefly for bags and wrapping paper.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun Obsolete spellings of craft, crafty.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun strong wrapping paper made from pulp processed with a sulfur solution

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Short for Swedish kraftpapper : kraft, strength (from Old Swedish krapt) + papper, paper.]

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Examples

  • Rooted in Germanic idea of "strength" (which lives on in our English term kraft paper), crafty once meant "skillful."

    Christian Science Monitor | All Stories 2010

  • Since the 1930s the overwhelming majority of paper mills have employed what's called the kraft process to produce paper.

    The Great Paper Caper James Taranto 2009

  • Since the 1930s the overwhelming majority of paper mills have employed what's called the kraft process to produce paper.

    The Great Paper Caper 2009

  • As a new labour loyal member and follower of our dear leader, I can confidently predict a greater than 0. 01% rise in chocolate sales come easter - this will be yet another sure indication that the loyal citizens of her majesty's 'great' britain are out spending and enjoying themselves purchasing vast quantities of confectionery namely from a US conglomerate known as kraft-cadburys. (formally british).

    The Independent - Frontpage RSS Feed 2010

  • Since the 1930s the overwhelming majority of paper mills have employed what's called the kraft process to produce paper.

    The Nation: Top Stories 2009

  • Since the 1930s the overwhelming majority of paper mills have employed what's called the kraft process to produce paper.

    WHAT REALLY HAPPENED 2009

  • Turns out the paper industry has long used something called the "kraft" process to make paper.

    Alternative Fuel Folly 2009

  • Energy is energi or "kraft" probably more like power.

    languagehat.com: NAME THAT LANGUAGE! 2005

  • It may very well prove desirable to erect facilities to pro = duce pulp products, such as kraft and newsprint in addition to high alpha and rayon grade pulp.

    A Modern Concept of Industrialism 1951

  • Turns out the paper industry has long used something called the "kraft" process to make paper.

    Opinion Source: Delivering summaries of editorial and op-ed pieces from major papers by email. 2009

Comments

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  • I've never heard this word apart from its commercial name as a brand of cheese, so indestructible that it survives without refrigeration in the alternately moist / dusty backwoods of Asia.

    November 6, 2008

  • As a German word it's very misleading to English speakers, since it means "strength" or "power", not "craft".

    November 6, 2008

  • I think it's the paper in:

    "Brown paper packages

    tied up with string..."

    November 6, 2008

  • Some Canadians I used to know referred to all macaroni and cheese, regardless of maker, as "kraft food." Not sure if that was idiosyncratic to them, or some Canadian thing.

    November 7, 2008

  • Favorite fun food for the fellowcraft.

    November 7, 2008

  • Intrestin', John. Kraft markets a mac and cheese product in Canada as "Kraft Dinner" which has iconic status for Canadians, and has come to stand for any kind of prepackaged, processed, easy-to-make meal, and, I guess, for mac and cheese generally.

    November 7, 2008

  • I only know that because of Bare Naked Ladies. :)

    If I had a million dollars...

    We wouldn't have to eat Kraft Dinner--

    But we would eat Kraft Dinner--

    Of course we would! We'd just eat more!

    November 7, 2008