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sheepskin - 4 dictionary results

sheep⋅skin

[sheep-skin]
–noun
1. the skin of a sheep, esp. such a skin dressed with the wool on, as for a garment.
2. leather, parchment, or the like, made from the skin of sheep.
3. Informal. a diploma.
–adjective
4. made from the skin of a sheep.
5. (of a garment) lined with the skin of a sheep dressed with the wool on.

Origin:
1150–1200; ME shepskinn. See sheep, skin
sheep·skin   (shēp'skĭn')   
n.  
  1. The skin of a sheep either tanned with the fleece left on or in the form of leather or parchment.
  2. Informal A diploma.

Sheepskin

Sheep"skin`\, n. 1. The skin of a sheep; or, leather prepared from it.

2. A diploma; -- so called because usually written or printed on parchment prepared from the skin of the sheep. [College Cant]

sheepskin 
c.1200, "the skin of a sheep," from sheep + skin (n.). Meaning "diploma" dates from 1804; so called because formerly made of sheepskin parchment.
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