In former times, parchment was the skin of a sheep or goat that was used for writing on.
...old manuscripts written on parchment.
2. uncountable noun
Parchment is a kind of thick yellowish paper.
...an old lamp with a parchment shade.
Cover with a sheet of non-stick baking parchment.
3. countable noun
A parchment is a document written on parchment.
parchment in British English
(ˈpɑːtʃmənt)
noun
1.
the skin of certain animals, such as sheep, treated to form a durable material, as for bookbinding, or (esp formerly) manuscripts
2.
a manuscript, bookbinding, etc, made of or resembling this material
3.
a type of stiff yellowish paper resembling parchment
Derived forms
parchmenty (ˈparchmenty)
adjective
Word origin
C13: from Old French parchemin, via Latin from Greek pergamēnē, from Pergamēnos of Pergamum (where parchment was made); the form of Old French parchemin was influenced by parche leather, from Latin Parthica (pellis) Parthian (leather)
parchment in American English
(ˈpɑrtʃmənt)
noun
1.
the skin of an animal, usually a sheep or goat, prepared as a surface on which to write or paint
2.
paper specially treated to resemble parchment, and used for lampshades, stationery, etc.
3.
a document, manuscript, or diploma on parchment
Word origin
ME parchemin < OFr < LL pergamina < L (charta) Pergamena, (paper) of Pergamum, where used as a substitute for papyrus: altered in OFr by assoc. with parche, parchment < LL parthica (pellis), lit., Parthian (leather)
Examples of 'parchment' in a sentence
parchment
Butter sheets of foil or baking parchment and place over top.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Remove the baking parchment and beans and bake for another 10 min or so, until the pastry base is pale golden.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Remove the beans and parchment and cook for ten minutes until the case is golden.
The Sun (2016)
Carefully remove the baking parchment and leave to cool.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
My skin looked like parchment stretched over bone.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Remove parchment and beans and bake for five minutes.
The Sun (2014)
Remove foil and parchment and run a knife round inside of the basin.
The Sun (2014)
At this point the bean is still surrounded by a thin skin called the parchment.
Wild, Anthony The East India Company Book of Coffee (1994)
Remove from the oven and take out the baking parchment and beans.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Put baking parchment or foil on top of the pastry and fill with baking beans.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Fold over each edge so that the foil and parchment are secured together at the edges.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Allow to cool fully before wrapping in parchment or foil.
The Sun (2014)
Twist into corkscrew shapes and lay on non-stick baking parchment in a roasting tin.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Line two baking trays with non-stick parchment and draw on eight rough circles.
The Sun (2015)
Line sheets with non-stick parchment and place a ring on one.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
When cool enough to handle, remove the beans and baking parchment.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Line a flat baking sheet with non-stick baking parchment.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Take out of the oven, remove the baking parchment and baking beans.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Line a baking tray with parchment or use non-stick baking sheet.
The Sun (2012)
Remove the parchment and beans and bake for 10 more minutes.