sheepskin

[sheep-skin]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR sheepskin ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the skin of a sheep, especially such a skin dressed with the wool on, as for a garment.

leather, parchment, or the like, made from the skin of sheep.

Informal. a diploma.

adjective

made from the skin of a sheep.

(of a garment) lined with the skin of a sheep dressed with the wool on.

Origin of sheepskin

First recorded in 1150–1200, sheepskin is from the Middle English word shepskinn. See sheep, skin

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for sheepskin

skin, warranty, license, coupon, receipt, diploma, affidavit, authentication, paper, voucher, permit, ticket, warrant, deed, authorization, guarantee, credential, documentation, certification, sort

Examples from the Web for sheepskin

Contemporary Examples of sheepskin

So where might the next Carol Bartz or Jeff Bezos get their sheepskin?
Tech's 29 Most Powerful Colleges
Thomas E. Weber
May 3, 2010

Historical Examples of sheepskin

I didn't blame him for stopping up there on his sheepskin, eye to eye with the girl.
It Happened in Egypt
C. N. Williamson
The coachman had mounted to his box, and was wrapping a sheepskin about his knees.
The Shadow of a Crime
Hall Caine
The footman (who survived) had no time to see the face of the man in the sheepskin coat.
Under Western Eyes
Joseph Conrad
The sheepskin blankets with the wool on were almost as black as soot.
The Land of the Long Night
Paul du Chaillu
Each one took off his sheepskin jacket, reversed it and put it on again.
Debts of Honor
Maurus Jkai

British Dictionary definitions for sheepskin

sheepskin

noun

the skin of a sheep, esp when used for clothing, etc, or with the fleece removed and used for parchment
(as modifier)a sheepskin coat

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for 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.