ˈpärchmənt, ˈpȧch- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English perchement, parchement, alteration (influenced by Medieval Latin pergamentum, alteration of Latin pergamena ) of parchemin, perchemin, from Old French parchemin, alteration (influenced by parche, parge, a kind of leather, from Latin Parthica -puellis-, from Parthica, feminine of Parthicus Parthian + puellis leather) of pargamin, from Medieval Latin pergamina, alteration of Latin pergamena, from Greek pergamēnē, from feminine of Pergamēnos of Pergamum, from Perganon (Pergamum), ancient city in Asia Minor (now Bergama, western Turkey)
1.
a. : the skin of a sheep, goat, or other animal especially when prepared to receive writing
b. : any of various superior papers of well-beaten rag and wood pulp made to resemble parchment
parchment bond
parchment deed
parchment writing
— see vegetable parchment ; compare vellum
c. : a document on parchment : a parchment manuscript
here's a parchment with the seal of Caesar — Shakespeare
often : an academic diploma
2. : the envelope of the coffee bean inside the pulp
3.
a. : a variable color averaging a pale yellow green that is greener and paler than average Nile and yellower, lighter, and stronger than oyster gray
b. : a grayish yellow that is duller than chamois and redder and slightly less strong than old ivory