vellum
vellum Lexical Profile
vellum Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Fine parchment made originally from the skin of a calf, used for writing, illumination, or bookbinding.
"The medieval monastery library preserved several illuminated manuscripts written on delicate vellum."
A smooth, heavy, cream-colored or translucent paper made to resemble fine calfskin parchment.
"They printed the formal wedding invitations on thick, cream-colored vellum."
Word Nuance & Usage
Technically, vellum is made specifically from calfskin, whereas parchment is a broader term for writing material made from the skin of sheep, goats, or calves; however, the two terms are often used interchangeably for high-quality historic manuscripts.
• Rhymes for vellum
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Old French velin ('calfskin'), which derives from Latin vitulinus ('of a calf'), from vitulus ('calf'), sharing the same root as the word 'veal'.