Parchemin

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of writing material traditionally made from animal hide, used for documents and manuscripts; often characterized by its durability and smooth texture; historically significant in the creation of formal texts and artworks
2. A document made from specially prepared animal skin, prized for its quality and resistance to deterioration; frequently utilized in the production of illuminated manuscripts and legal parchments; noteworthy for its historical and cultural value
3. A refined material derived from animal skin, known for its ability to hold ink and last through centuries; commonly associated with ancient and medieval documents, including scrolls and religious texts; its use encompasses both practical and artistic realms

Etymology: Parchemin is the French word for parchment, the writing surface made from prepared animal skin, usually sheep, goat or calf. Its root is the place-name Pergamum, an ancient city in Asia Minor (modern Bergama in Turkey). Ancient writers credit the city with developing the material, though the story is repeated by Pliny the Elder and is not something the word's own history can prove. The French form came through Latin "pergamenum" and Greek "pergamēnē," which means "from Pergamum." The Latin version passed into Old French as "parchemin," and the initial sound shifted from p to pa- along the way. English later borrowed the same root as "parchment," so the two words are cognates from one city name. The city's name became a material name because Pergamum was associated with the product, and the connection stuck even as the place itself faded in importance. Writing surfaces from animal skin were common long before the word arrived, so the city became a label rather than a description of a unique technique.

Synonyms: parchment, vellum, manuscript material