vellum

[ vel-uhm ]

noun

1. calfskin, lambskin, kidskin, etc., treated for use as a writing surface.
2. a manuscript or the like on vellum.
3. a texture of paper or cloth resembling vellum.

adjective

1. made of or resembling vellum.
2. bound in vellum.

vellum

/ ˈvɛləm /

noun

1. a fine parchment prepared from the skin of a calf, kid, or lamb
2. a work printed or written on vellum
3. a creamy coloured heavy paper resembling vellum

adjective

1. made of or resembling vellum
2. (of a book) bound in vellum

Other Words From

• half-vellum noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vellum¹

1400–50; late Middle English velum, velim < Middle French ve ( e ) lin of a calf. See veal, -in ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of vellum¹

C15: from Old French velin, from velin of a calf, from veel veal

Example Sentences

The scroll, which consists of 56 pages stitched together by hand and contains about 11,600 words, is the first to be printed on paper, rather than vellum, reflecting the king’s views on animal welfare.

From Seattle Times

Vellum, made from animal skins, was long prized for manuscripts because of its texture and durability.

From Seattle Times

But in 2013, around the same time he started his publishing house, Deep Vellum, two other people — Javier García del Moral and Paco Vique, civil engineers from Spain — were hatching their own literary plans.

From New York Times

It’s the entire thing,” Evans said from Deep Vellum’s headquarters in the storied and diverse Deep Ellum neighborhood.

From New York Times

Today Dallas is home to one of the most dynamic, international literary scenes in the country, inspired in many ways by the infectious, D.I.Y. energy of Deep Vellum, now one of the country’s largest publishers of translated literature, and Wild Detectives.

From New York Times

Related Words

• bark
• coating
• crust
• fur
• husk
• jacket
• membrane
• rind
• sheath
• surface