sheepskin

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the skin of a sheep, especially when tanned as leather or used with the fleece still attached

   The aviator wore a heavy coat lined with sheepskin.

2. 2
   noun

   parchment made from the prepared skin of a sheep

   The medieval charter was written on a sheet of sheepskin.

3. 3
   noun

   informal term for a diploma or academic certificate

   A sheepskin alone does not guarantee success in the profession.

A compound of sheep + skin, both inherited Germanic words. The literal name was extended from the animal's hide to parchment made from it and, in informal American usage, to the diploma traditionally written or printed on such material.

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