A lunellum is a crescent-shaped knife that was used in medieval times to prepare parchment.[1][2] The word is derived from the Latin luna (moon) because of its shape. The tool is used for the purpose of scraping off (scudding) remaining tissue from a stretched animal skin that was previously treated, and has its shape to prevent it cutting through the skin.[3][4][5]
- ^ Corèdon, Christopher; Williams, Ann (2007). "Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases". Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias. Lunellum. Retrieved 2021-03-27.
- ^ "Lunellum knife used on medieval manuscripts". archives.library.wcsu.edu. Retrieved 2021-03-27.
- ^ Corèdon, Christopher (2007). "Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases". Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias. Parchment. Retrieved 2021-03-27.
- ^ "Preparing the Skin: The Practical Side of Manuscript Production". lacunamundi. 2013-05-25. Retrieved 2021-03-27.
- ^ How Animal Hides Are Made Into Parchment At The Last Workshop In The US, Still Standing, Business Insider, retrieved 2021-03-27