Webster's English Dictionary

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parchment

parch.ment \'pa:rch-m*nt\ n [ME parchemin, fr. OF pargamin, fr. L 
   pergamena, fr. Gk pe]rgame-ne-, fr. fem. of Pergame-nos of Pergamum, fr. 
   Perganon Pergamum 1: the skin of a sheep or goat prepared for writing on  
   2: any of various superior papers made to resemble parchment  3: a 
   parchment manuscript; also : an academic diploma