noun
velum
Prepared animal skin used as a writing surface.
The scribe writes on velum with a fine pen.
Etymology
In this sense, velum is a variant of vellum, the name for prepared writing skin. It should not be confused with velum from Latin for a sail or veil.
More examples
- The library preserves a manuscript written on velum.
- Unlike paper, velum is made from animal skin.
- She carefully turns the delicate sheet of velum.
Forms
velum