Parchment

Parchment is a writing material made from specially prepared untanned skins of animals, typically sheep, goats, or calves. It’s known for its durability, smooth surface, and resistance to tearing, making it a prized medium for important documents, illuminated manuscripts, and artistic creations for centuries. The process of creating parchment involves stretching and drying the skin under tension, then scraping and smoothing it to remove hair and imperfections. High-quality parchment is exceptionally strong and can last for hundreds of years if properly preserved. It is often used for legal documents and certificates.

Parchment meaning with examples

• The historian carefully examined the ancient parchment, deciphering the faded script detailing royal decrees. The texture felt distinctly different from modern paper, cool and smooth. It provided a firsthand glimpse into the past.
• The artist chose parchment as a substrate for their intricate botanical illustrations, the delicate drawings appearing enhanced by the material's warm, slightly translucent quality. Its age gave the images a certain depth.
• The lawyer presented the signed contract on parchment, emphasizing the importance of the agreement with the formal, elegant presentation. It added weight to the negotiation, the parchment giving a sense of tradition and import.
• In an effort to replicate an early medieval map, the cartographer printed the intricate details of the territory upon parchment. The map was going to be an exact replica of the original artifact.