Main Entry: parch·ment

Pronunciation: \ˈpärch-mənt\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English parchemin, from Anglo-French, modification of Latin pergamena, from Greek pergamēnē, from feminine of Pergamēnos of Pergamum, from Pergamon Pergamum

Date: 14th century

1 : the skin of a sheep or goat prepared for writing on
2 : strong, tough, and often somewhat translucent paper made to resemble parchment
3 : a parchment manuscript; also : an academic diploma