I. ˈpalə̇m(p)ˌsest noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin palimpsestus, from Greek palimpsēstos scraped again, from palin again, back + -psēstos, from psēn to rub, scrape, crumble; akin to Greek psammos sand — more at pali- , sand
1. obsolete : writing material (as parchment or paper) so prepared that the writing can be erased and the material reused
2.
a. : a parchment, tablet, or other portion of writing material that has been used twice or three times after the earlier writing has been erased
b. : a manuscript in which one or two earlier erased writings are found
3. : a memorial brass having earlier engraving on the side opposite to that which is exposed
II. adjective
1. of a manuscript : having besides its present writing one or two earlier erased writings
2. of a memorial brass : having earlier engraving on the side opposite to that exposed
III. noun
: something having usually diverse layers or aspects apparent beneath the surface
Egypt has many pasts—the country is a cultural palimpsest with many layers of civilization — Willis Barnstone