[parch.ment] n [ME parchemin, fr. MF, modif. of L pergamena, fr. Gk pergamene, fr. fem. of Pergamenos of Pergamum, fr. Pergamon Pergamum] (14c) 1: the skin of a sheep or goat prepared for writing on
2: strong, tough, and often somewhat translucent paper made to resemble parchment
3: a parchment manuscript; also: an academic diploma