vellum

1 of 2

noun

vel·lum ˈve-ləm

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

: a strong cream-colored paper

vellum

2 of 2

adjective

: of, resembling, or bound in vellum

: slightly rough

paper with a vellum finish

Examples of vellum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The scriptorium darkens over white vellum. —

Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2011 Use paper punches or scissors to cut hearts from colored vellum and lightweight decorative papers. —

Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Jan. 2023 Some of the text and signatures are on the light side as the vellum used for the documents absorbed ink. —

Tatyana Turner, chicagotribune.com, 31 Jan. 2022 Instead the artist more often painted on the plaster of frescoes or on paper or vellum—parchment made from calfskin. —

Tom Metcalfe, Scientific American, 3 Feb. 2023 Once all the layers have dried, cut a small hole through the vellum and cardstock just above the decorative envelope. —

Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Nov. 2022 Glue a small decorative envelope on top of the vellum. —

Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Nov. 2022 Insert the vellum in the pumpkin, and center it over the opening so that the design faces out; attach it with straight pins. —

Charlyne Mattox, Country Living, 15 July 2022

Adjective

But its closest real-life approximation is the 1511 Westminster Tournament, immortalized on a vellum roll. —

Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 12 Oct. 2020 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, 20 Dec. 2017 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vellum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of vellum was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century