[mass noun]a stiff, flat, thin material made from the prepared skin of an animal, usually a sheep or goat, and used as a durable writing surface in ancient and medieval times 羊皮纸 ■[count noun]a manuscript written on this material 羊皮纸文稿 a large collection of ancient parchments. 一大批古代羊皮纸文稿藏品。 ■(亦作 parchment paper)[mass noun]a type of stiff translucent paper treated to resemble parchment and used for lampshades, as a writing surface, and in baking (用于灯罩、书写、及烘焙的)仿羊皮纸 ■[count noun](informal)a diploma or other formal document (非正式)毕业文凭;正式文件
语源
Middle English: from Old French parchemin, from a blend of late Latin pergamina 'writing material from Pergamum' and Parthica pellis 'Parthian skin' (a kind of scarlet leather)