1. a manuscript or piece of writing material on which the original writing has been effaced to make room for later writing but of which traces remain
Usage: historical; literary
2. something reused or altered but still bearing visible traces of its earlier form
Usage: figurative

Examples

• The ancient palimpsest revealed traces of the original Greek text beneath the medieval Latin writing.
• Scholars used special lighting to read the erased text on the palimpsest.
• The old building was a palimpsest of architectural styles from different centuries.
• Her memory was like a palimpsest, with new experiences written over old ones.
• The archaeologist described the site as a palimpsest of human occupation.
• The manuscript was a valuable palimpsest containing works by multiple authors.
• The city’s streets formed a palimpsest of urban planning from various eras.