Definition

1. Noun:
   • A material made from the skin of a sheep, goat, or other animal, prepared as a surface for writing or printing. This is the historical meaning, referring to a durable, thin material used for manuscripts, documents, and book pages before the widespread use of paper.
   • A high-quality, durable paper that resembles traditional animal skin parchment. This modern meaning refers to a type of paper, often used for diplomas, certificates, or important documents, which imitates the look and feel of the original material.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Historical Material):
  • The ancient contract was written on parchment.
  • Medieval monks often copied texts onto parchment.
• Noun (Modern Paper):
  • The university diploma was printed on heavy parchment.
  • She bought decorative parchment for her calligraphy project.

Advanced Usage

• "Parchment paper": In modern contexts, especially in cooking, "parchment paper" (often a compound term) refers to a heat-resistant, non-stick paper used for baking.
  • Line the baking tray with parchment paper before putting the cookies in the oven.
• Used metaphorically to suggest antiquity, formality, or importance.
  • The old law, though just words on parchment, held great power.

Variants and Related Words

• Parchmenty (adj., informal): Having the qualities of parchment (e.g., dry, thin, crinkly).
  • After years in the sun, his skin had a parchmenty texture.

Synonyms

• Vellum: A finer quality parchment made from calfskin, lambskin, or kidskin.
• Manuscript: A document written by hand, which could be on parchment.
• Scroll: A roll of parchment or paper.

Related Phrases

• Parchment deed: A legal document written on parchment.
  • The property title was an original parchment deed from the 18th century.

Noun

1. skin of a sheep or goat prepared for writing on
2. a superior paper resembling sheepskin