What does "parchment" mean?
Material, made from the polished skin of a calf, sheep, goat or other animal, used like paper for writing.
Parchment
/ˈpɑːtʃmənt/ name, noun
name, noun ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Material, made from the polished skin of a calf, sheep, goat or other animal, used like paper for writing.
- Grammar: parchment is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: ancient greek text, animal skin, article, autograph.
- Useful contrasts: digital certificate, lontar, oral contract.
- Usage evidence: Swallows fill the parchment of the sky with signatures in honor of the good weather.
How to use "parchment"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "parchment" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "parchment" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "parchment" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "parchment" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "parchment" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "ancient greek text" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "parchment", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Material, made from the polished skin of a calf, sheep, goat or other animal, used like paper for writing. countable, uncountable
"At twilight in the summer there is never anybody to fear—man, woman, or cat—in the chambers and at that hour the mice come out. They do not eat parchment or foolscap or red tape, but they eat the luncheon crumbs."
- 2 skin of a sheep or goat prepared for writing on wordnet
- 3 A document made on such material. countable, uncountable
- 4 a superior paper resembling sheepskin wordnet
- 5 A diploma (traditionally written on parchment). countable, uncountable
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 Stiff paper imitating that material. countable, uncountable
- 7 The creamy to tanned color of parchment. countable, uncountable
- 8 The envelope of the coffee grains, inside the pulp. countable, uncountable
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Swallows fill the parchment of the sky with signatures in honor of the good weather."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "parchment"?
Common synonyms include: ancient greek text, animal skin, article, autograph, biscuit, blank.
How do you use "parchment" in a sentence?
Swallows fill the parchment of the sky with signatures in honor of the good weather.
How do you pronounce "parchment"?
Pronounced /ˈpɑːtʃmənt/.
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.