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palimpsest

Browse the Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

palimpsest

Main Entry:: pa·limp·sest
Pronunciation:: \ˈpa-ləm(p)-ˌsest, pə-ˈlim(p)-\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: Latin palimpsestus, from Greek palimpsēstos scraped again, from palin + psēn to rub, scrape; akin to Sanskrit psāti, babhasti he chews
Date:: 1825

1 : writing material (as a parchment or tablet) used one or more times after earlier writing has been erased 2 : something having usually diverse layers or aspects apparent beneath the surface <Canada…is a palimpsest, an overlay of classes and generations — Margaret Atwood>

Learn more about "palimpsest" and related topics at Britannica.com

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