Etymology:
The word "palimpsest" derives from the Ancient Greek word "palimpsestos," which literally means "scraped again." It is a compound word consisting of:
Meaning:
A palimpsest is a manuscript or piece of writing material that has been written on, erased, and written on again, usually multiple times. The original text is still visible underneath the later text, often revealing insights into the history and evolution of the document.
Origin:
The practice of reusing writing materials, including papyrus and parchment, dates back to ancient times. In the Middle Ages, palimpsests were commonly created by scraping off the text from worn-out or unwanted manuscripts and then reusing the parchment for new writing. This was a practical way to save money and conserve resources.
The most famous example of a palimpsest is the Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus, a 5th-century manuscript of the Bible. The original text, which included the works of the Church Father Ephraem, was scraped off in the 12th century and replaced with a new text containing the Greek Psalter and New Testament. However, the original text could be partially recovered using modern techniques, providing valuable insights into the development of the Bible.
Today, palimpsests are studied by scholars to reconstruct lost texts, understand the history of manuscripts, and trace the evolution of ideas and knowledge throughout the ages.
Etymology Middle English acolade from Old French acolade from Late Latin accollata
Etymology Ancillary derives from the Latin word ancilla meaning maidservant or
Etymology Greek atelēs uncompleted defective Meaning Lacking incomplete i
Etymology Persian bāzār Arabic bazzār Meaning A marketplace or street mar
Etymology Bicycle is derived from the following elements Bi Latin prefix meaning
Etymology The word bucolic comes from the Latin word bucolicus which in turn derives
Etymology The word chakra is derived from the Sanskrit word cakra चक्र wh
Etymology The word chukker originates from the Hindi word chukkar which means a t
Etymology The word collar originates from the Old French word collere meaning neck
Etymology The word collet has its origins in the following Old French colleret L
Etymology Latin colonus meaning farmer settler French colonie meaning settl
Etymology The word colony is derived from the Latin word colonia which means settle
Etymology The word cult comes from the Latin word cultus which means worship re
Etymology Latin colere to tend cultivate Old French cultiver Middle English cul
Etymology and Meaning The word culture is derived from the Latin word colere which m
Etymology The word cyclamen is derived from the Greek word kyklamos which means ro
Etymology The word cycle is derived from the Ancient Greek word κύκλος kyklos
Etymology The word cyclo comes from the Greek word κύκλος kyklos meaning c
Etymology The word cyclone derives from the Greek term kyklōn which means to spin
Etymology The word cyclops is derived from the Greek words kýklos κύκλος me
Etymology and Origin of Encyclical The term encyclical comes from the Ancient Greek w
Etymology Greek ἐγκύκλιος enkyklios circular general universal Latin
Etymology Derived from Greek entelecheia ἐντελέχεια Meaning The rea
Etymology The word epicycle is derived from the Greek words epi meaning upon and
Etymology The word hauberk is derived from Old French haubert which in turn comes f
Etymology The word hawse comes from the Middle English word hawse which is derived f
Etymology Late Latin inquilinus from Latin incola tenant dweller from Proto Indo
Etymology The word kultur derives from the following sources Latin cultura from
Etymology Greek lapidos stone coleo to inhabit Meaning Inhabiting or li
Etymology The word nidicolous comes from Latin nidus nest colus inhabiting
Etymology The word palimpsest derives from the Ancient Greek word palimpsestos whic
Etymology Derived from Ancient Greek palíndromos meaning running back again from p
Etymology The word palindrome is derived from the Greek words palin meaning back
Etymology The word pole derives from the following roots Middle English pol Old
Etymology The word pulley is derived from the Middle English word pule which in turn
Etymology and Meaning Rickshaw is derived from the Japanese word jinrikisha which lite
Etymology Middle English talisman from Old French talisman Old French from Medieval
Etymology Ancient Greek télos end purpose goal logia study Meaning and
Etymology Late Latin telicus from Greek telikos meaning relating to an end or goal
Etymology Derived from Greek roots telos end phase appearance Meaning Th
Etymology Greek τέλος telos Meaning End purpose aim goal Fulfillment c
Etymology Latin tortus twisted collum neck Meaning A condition character
Etymology Middle English whele from Old English hwēol Proto Germanic hwihwlą Prot
Etymology The word manuscript derives from the Latin phrase manu scriptus which mea
Etymology The word holograph is derived from two Greek roots holos Meaning compl
Etymology The word reflection is derived from the Latin word reflectiō which means
Etymology From Old French penance from Latin paenitentia from poenitere to repent r
Etymology The word offspring comes from the Middle English word offspring which in t
Etymology The word conception derives from the Latin conceptio which means taking t
Etymology The word chocolate comes from the Nahuatl Aztec word xocolātl which mea
Etymology The word pillar comes from the Late Latin word pilare meaning to support
Etymology The word specious has Latin roots deriving from the following speciōsus
