Emily Dickinson Lexicon

REAM, n. [Sax. ream, a band; D. riem; Dan. rem or reem; Sw. rem; W. rhwym, a bond or tie. The Dutch word signifies a strap, thong or girdle, and an oar, L. remus. In Fr. rame is a ream and an oar, and if the English ream and the L. remus are the same word, the primary sense is a shoot, L. ramus, a branch, for the shoots of trees or shrubs were the first bands used by men. See Gird and Withe. The Italian has risma, and the Sp. and Port. resma, a ream, G. riess. See Class Rm, No. 7, 9.]

A bundle or package of paper, consisting of twenty quires. – Pope.