Opposed to “in reality.”
1788. The form of their [the Dutch] constitution, as it is on paper, admits not of coercion. But necessity has introduced it in practice.—Speech of Oliver Ellsworth, Jan. 4: American Museum, iii. 336/2.
1795. All this looks very well on paper; but I much question whether in its operation it will not be found to work very much against us.—George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, ‘Letters’ (1892), xiii. 64. (N.E.D.)
1812. See TERRAPIN WAR.
