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Parchment for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: 'pɑrʧmənt

What does Parchment really mean?

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Hey there! So, today we are going to talk about the word "parchment." Now, let me ask you this. Have you ever seen a really old document, like maybe a treasure map in a movie or a photograph of an ancient scroll? Well, that's the kind of thing we are talking about here!

When we say "parchment," we are actually talking about a special kind of paper that has been used for hundreds and hundreds of years. It is not like the regular paper we use in our everyday lives. Parchment is made from an animal skin, usually from a sheep or a goat. Can you imagine that? Paper made from an animal? It's pretty incredible, isn't it?

Now, this special kind of paper is made by carefully preparing the animal skin. First, the skin is cleaned really well, and any extra bits of hair or flesh are removed. Then, it is soaked in water to make it soft and more pliable. After that, it is stretched out and dried, sometimes in the sun or next to a fire. Can you picture that, like a piece of meat drying out to make beef jerky? Just like the beef jerky gets firm and dry, the parchment becomes smooth, thin, and sturdy.

So, why do people use parchment? Well, because it is super durable and long-lasting. Back in the olden days, when paper wasn't as common as it is now, people used parchment for all sorts of things. They would write important documents, like legal papers or religious texts, on parchment. The smooth surface of the parchment made it easier to write on with ink, and the sturdy material meant that the writing could be preserved for a really long time.

But here's the thing, the word "parchment" doesn't just refer to the paper itself. It can also mean a particular kind of diploma or certificate that is printed or written on this special paper. So, when someone says they have a parchment hanging on their wall, it means they have a fancy, important document that they earned, like a degree or a special award.

So, to wrap it all up, "parchment" refers to a special kind of paper that is made from animal skin. It's a durable and long-lasting material that people have been using for centuries to write important documents on. Nowadays, it can also refer to a diploma or certificate that is printed on this type of paper. Pretty interesting, right?

Revised and Fact checked by Daniel Taylor on 2023-10-29 18:55:58

Parchment In a sentece

Learn how to use Parchment inside a sentece

  • In the medieval times, people used parchment to write important documents like letters and contracts.
  • You might have seen parchment used in old books or scrolls from long ago.
  • If you ever visit a museum, you might see some very old paintings or maps on parchment.
  • When you visit a historic place, like a castle, they might show you a document written on parchment to teach you about the past.
  • Sometimes artists use parchment to create beautiful drawings or calligraphy because it has a unique texture.

Parchment Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Parchment Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.

Parchment Hyponyms

Words that are more specific than the original word.