Parchment: meaning, definitions and examples

Parchment is used again to refer to a writing material made from treated animal skin, specifically for documents and important texts. Often seen in historical contexts.

• The decree was inscribed on parchment and sealed with a wax stamp.
• Libraries often have collections of valuable texts on parchment.

Animal skin is a more general term that can refer to the untreated or treated hides of various animals. It's less specific and can refer to raw skins used for various purposes, not necessarily prepared for writing.

• They used animal skin to make the drum.
• The tribal leader wore a cloak made of animal skin.

Vellum is a finer quality of parchment, made particularly from calfskin, and used for important documents, highly valuable manuscripts, and artworks. It’s seen as more luxurious and durable compared to regular parchment.

• The illuminated manuscript was crafted on vellum.
• He commissioned a family tree to be inscribed on vellum.

Often used to refer to a material made from animal skin used for writing before the advent of paper.

• The ancient documents were preserved on yellowed parchment.
• She bought a piece of parchment to practice her calligraphy.

Refers to a hand-written or typed document, often in the context of a book or academic paper before it gets published.

• The author's original manuscript was over 500 pages long.
• Historians discovered a medieval manuscript in the old library.

Specifically refers to a long piece of paper or parchment rolled into a cylinder, historically used for important documents or texts.

• The ancient scroll contained spells and incantations.
• He unrolled the scroll to reveal the royal decree.