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palimpsest

PAL-imp-sest

ˈpælɪmpˌsɛst

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Syllable breakdown

palimpsest

Dictionary meaning

A manuscript or surface bearing traces of earlier work beneath later additions.

History and origin

Greek palimpsēstos.

Examples

  • The wall painting read like a palimpsest of centuries of repainting.

Common mispronunciations

puh-LIMP-sest

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