ETYM Old Eng. pamflet, pamfilet, paunflet, possibly from Old Fren. palme the palm of the hand, French paume (see Palm) + Old Fren. fueillet a leaf, dim. of fueil, m., French feuille, f., from Latin folium.
1. A small book consisting of a few sheets of printed paper, stitched together, often with a paper cover, but not bound; a short essay or written discussion, usually on a subject of current interest.
2. A writing, usually political in nature.