Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Pamphlet \Pam"phlet\, n. [OE. pamflet, pamfilet, paunflet,
   possibly fr. OF. palme the palm of the hand, F. paume (see
   {Palm}) + OF. fueillet a leaf, dim. of fueil, m., F. feuille,
   f., fr. L. folium, pl. folia, thus meaning, a leaf to be held
   in the hand; or perh. through old French, fr. L. Pamphila, a
   female historian of the first century who wrote many
   epitomes; prob., however, fr. OF. Pamflette, the Old French
   name given to Pamphilus, a poem in Latin verse of the 12th
   century, pamphlets being named from the popularity of this
   poem.]
   1. A writing; a book. --Testament of love.

            Sir Thomas More in his pamphlet of Richard the
            Third.                                --Ascham.

   2. 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.

Pamphlet \Pam"phlet\, v. i.
   To write a pamphlet or pamphlets. [R.] --Howell.

Source : WordNet®

pamphlet
     n 1: a small book usually having a paper cover [syn: {booklet}, {brochure},
           {folder}, {leaflet}]
     2: a brief treatise on a subject of interest; published in the
        form of a booklet [syn: {tract}]