Definition of PARCHMENT

parchment

Plural: parchments

Noun

  • a superior paper resembling sheepskin
  • skin of a sheep or goat prepared for writing on
  • Material, made from the polished skin of a calf, sheep, goat or other animal, used like paper for writing.
  • A document made on such material.
  • A diploma (traditionally written on parchment).
  • Stiff paper imitating that material.
  • The creamy to tanned color of parchment.
  • The envelope of the coffee grains, inside the pulp.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English parchemyn, parchement, from Old French parchemin, via Latin pergamīna, from Ancient Greek Περγαμηνός (Pergamēnós, “of Pergamon”), which is named for the ancient city of Pergamon (modern Bergama) in Asia Minor, where it was invented as an expensive alternative for papyrus. Cognate with Danish pergament, Dutch perkament, French parchemin, German Pergament, Greek περγαμηνή (pergaminí), Italian pergamena, Norwegian pergament, Portuguese pergaminho, Galician pergameo, Romanian pergament, Russian пергамент (pergament), Spanish pergamino, and Swedish pergament.

Synonyms

lambskin, sheepskin, bookfell, membrane, parchment paper, vegetal parchment, vellum, wax paper

Scrabble Score: 18

parchment: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
parchment: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
parchment: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 21

parchment: valid Words With Friends Word