1. manuscripts or documents from which the original writing has been partially or completely erased to make room for later writing
Usage: historical; plural form
2. something reused or altered but still bearing visible traces of its earlier form
Usage: figurative use

Examples

• Medieval scholars often created palimpsests by scraping away text from expensive parchment.
• The ancient palimpsests revealed hidden Greek texts beneath Latin writings.
• Archaeologists discovered palimpsests that contained multiple layers of historical documents.
• The city’s architecture served as cultural palimpsests, showing traces of different eras.
• Digital palimpsests can be found in computer files that have been overwritten but still contain recoverable data.
• The manuscript was one of several palimpsests found in the monastery library.
• Modern technology helps scholars read the original text in damaged palimpsests.