vellum

noun vel·lum \ ˈve-ləm \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

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

Then, for his gallery at 291 Fifth Ave. in New York, Stieglitz printed more of the images on vellum, this time larger than the initial images.

— Bloomberg.com, "How Can One Artwork Have Four Very Different Price Tags?," 4 Apr. 2018
That's because the face is covered with nearly invisible fuzz called vellum hairs.

— judy dutton, Redbook, "20 Things You Can Do With Your Mouth That Will Drive a Man Crazy," 20 Jan. 2018
The oldest piece will be a vellum bull dating to 1153 and signed by four popes; the newest will be a 2006 thumbprint signature of the physicist Stephen Hawking.

— jane l. levere, New York Times, "A Childhood Hobby Matures Into a World-Class Collection," 10 Mar. 2018
The royal stopped by William Cowley Parchment Makers, which produces vellum for royals and Parliament.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "This Is How Prince William Responds to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Engagement Rumors," 26 Sep. 2017
If Prince Harry marries Meghan then his certificate will be in our vellum.

— erin hill, PEOPLE.com, "Prince William Laughs Off Harry Engagement Rumors — and Reveals George Doesn’t Want to Go to School," 26 Sep. 2017
During a visit to Milton Keynes on Tuesday, William stopped by William Cowley Parchment Makers, which makes vellum for royal documents and for use in Parliament.

— erin hill, PEOPLE.com, "Prince William Laughs Off Harry Engagement Rumors — and Reveals George Doesn’t Want to Go to School," 26 Sep. 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
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

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

vellum

adjective

Definition of vellum

1 : of, resembling, or bound in vellum

2 : slightly rough

paper with a vellum finish

Recent Examples of vellum from the Web

These stoneware pieces, glazed with either vellum whites or bronzy browns, evoke bowls or vases in their symmetry and roundness, their open, hollow interiors, and their use of the age-old pinch-and-coil method.

— roberta smith, will heinrich, martha schwendener and jason farago, New York Times, "What to See in New York Art Galleries This Week," 20 Dec. 2017

First Known Use of vellum

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

VELLUM Defined for English Language Learners

vellum

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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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vellum

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Definition of vellum

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Origin and Etymology of vellum

vellum

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VELLUM Defined for English Language Learners

vellum

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Origin and Etymology of vellum

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