Word of the Day – Palimpsest

Palimpsest (noun)

pal-imp-sest

A manuscript or piece of writing material on which later writing has been superimposed on effaced earlier writing where the previous use is still visible.

This can also be used metaphorically, a home may carry a palimpsest of its previous owners.

Example sentences

“By going back to my diary entries, I was able to locate an initial palimpsest, or precipitate, of the writing.”

“The painting showed a palimpsest of the artist’s previous work”