palimpsest

Meanings

• noun

  An ancient manuscript or piece of writing material on which later writing has been superimposed, usually obliterating the earlier text.

  - "The palimpsest reveals the history of several civilizations."
  - "The palimpsest was discovered in an ancient library."
  - "The palimpsest contains the earliest known record of a particular language."

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Pronunciation

1. /ˈpælɪmpsɛst/
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2854164"

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Synonyms

codex rescriptus

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with palimpsest
pestle , restless , nestle , chestnut , harvested

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Variants

List of all variants of palimpsest that leads to same result
palimpsest , palimpsests

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

From Greek palimpsestos, 'reused, worn out parchment or papyrus', from palin, 'again' + pemptos, 'fifth', because such materials were often reused for a fifth time.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The word 'palimpsest' first appeared in English in the late 15th century.

2. The British Library in London holds one of the largest collections of palimpsests in the world.

3. The oldest known palimpsest is the Vergilius Vaticanus, which dates back to the 4th century AD.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. Manuscript: A handwritten document, especially one of historical or literary importance.

2. Textual criticism: The study of the composition and transmission of texts, with the aim of establishing an authoritative text.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

Palimpsests have been used in literature and art, particularly in the exploration of history and memory. For example, in the novel 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco, a palimpsest is used as a metaphor for the human mind and its ability to retain and recall information. In art, palimpsests have been created by artists such as Cy Twombly and Jasper Johns, who have used erased or overwritten text in their works.

How to Memorize "palimpsest"

1. visualize
   

   - Imagine a piece of parchment or papyrus with multiple layers of writing, some of which have been erased or obscured. Visualize the process of deciphering the earlier text, revealing the history hidden beneath the later writing.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'palimpsest' with the idea of hidden history or layers of meaning.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Create a mnemonic device by remembering the Greek origins of the word: 'Palimpsestos' means 'reused, worn out parchment or papyrus'.

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