Spanish word

palimpsesto

Pronunciation

IPA/palimpˈsesto/

Meaning

  • masculine nounpalimpsest

Example

En la biblioteca encontré un palimpsesto en mal estado.

In the library I found a palimpsest in poor condition.

Illustration for palimpsesto (palimpsest)

More examples

No conozco la palabra palimpsesto.

I don't know the word palimpsest.

Core concept

Vellum leaf with new script written over deliberately erased earlier text.

Common phrases

  • hablar de un palimpsesto

    talk about a palimpsest

  • descubrir un palimpsesto

    discover a palimpsest

Similar words

manuscrito: Single item written by hand, such as a manuscript, diary entry, or letter.
códice: Hand-copied medieval codex made of several folios sewn into one volume.
documento: Paper or parchment kept as a formal record, proof, or administrative file.
texto: Textual content or written wording of a passage, abstracted from its physical form.

Definition in Spanish

Documento antiguo cuyo texto anterior fue deliberadamente borrado o raspado para reutilizar el soporte y escribir un nuevo texto encima.

Word origin

From Greek παλίμψηστος meaning 'again' plus 'scraped', passed into medieval Latin and then Spanish to name parchments reused after scraping away earlier inscriptions.

Usage tips

  • The word has a formal register and is most common in academic, archival, or museum contexts rather than in casual conversation.

Opposites

Word lists with this word