Pärch'ment, n.

n. [Fr. parchemin, O. Fr. parcemin, parquemin, parcamin, Pr. pergamen, pergame, pargemi, parguamina, Sp. pargamino, pergamino, Pg. pergaminho, It. pergamena, pergamino, Lat. pergamena, pergamina (sc. charta), Gr. περγαμηνή (sc. χάρτη), from Lat. Pergamenus, Gr. Περγαμηνός, of or belonging to Pergamus, or Pergamum, in Mysia, where it was invented by Eumenes, and brought into use by Crates of Mallos, when Ptolemy cut off the supply of papyrus from Egypt.] The skin of a sheep or goat dressed or prepared and rendered fit for writing on.