vellum

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noun vel·lum \ ˈve-ləm \

Definition of vellum

1 :a fine-grained unsplit lambskin, kidskin, or calfskin prepared especially for writing on or for binding books

2 :a strong cream-colored paper

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Recent Examples of vellum from the Web

The team published a study in 2015 analyzing proteins rubbed off of uterine vellum.

— sarah zhang, The Atlantic, "Sampling DNA From a 1,000-Year-Old Illuminated Manuscript," 8 Aug. 2017
The translucent non-reflective glaze — developed by Rookwood in 1904 — is called vellum.

— jane alexiadis, The Mercury News, "What’s It Worth?: Mint-condition Rookwood vase from the 1940s," 14 June 2017
Historically, the speech would be written on vellum, which is made from actual calf-skin, with ink that would take three days to dry.

— tara john, Time, "The UK's Queen's Speech Delayed for Most British Reason Ever," 12 June 2017
Natural textures include vellum, wicker, leather, brass and marble.

— celia barbour, House Beautiful, "This 116-Year-Old Home Is the Original Tiny House," 30 May 2017
Gross explains that vellum, a parchment made from calf skin, which costs the equivalent of $45 per sheet, is at once exponentially more expensive and more durable than paper.

— erin blakemore, Smithsonian, "British Parliament Ditches Parchment for Paper," 8 May 2017
Both had been drawn by hand on vellum in remarkable detail.

— National Geographic, "He Collected 12,000 Road Maps—Now We’re Discovering Their Secrets," 2 Nov. 2016
Fried chicken, barely shielded by crispy skin as thin as vellum, may be followed by egg tofu, made with eggs and soy milk and close to custard inside, or golden e-fu noodles, chewy from a fizz of carbonated water in the dough.

— ligaya mishan, New York Times, "Bite of Hong Kong Requires More Than a Few Nibbles," 14 Apr. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vellum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of vellum

Middle English velym, borrowed from Anglo-French velim, veeslin, noun derivative of *veelin "of a calf," from veel "calf" + -in ¹-ine — more at ¹veal

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First Known Use: 14th century

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vellum

adjective

Definition of vellum

1 :of, resembling, or bound in vellum

2 :slightly rough

paper with a vellum finish

First Known Use of vellum

15th century

VELLUM Defined for English Language Learners

vellum

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noun

Definition of vellum for English Language Learners

: a smooth material made from the skin of a young animal and used especially for covering books or for writing on
: a strong cream-colored paper

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