subs. (common).—1. The diploma received on taking a degree; also (2) a person who has taken a degree; and (3) a deed or similar document [engrossed on parchment].
1843. B. R. HALL (‘Robert Carlton’) The New Purchase, I., 203. This apostul of ourn what spoke the text, never rubbed his back agin a collige, nor toted about no SHEEPSKINS—no, never!… How you’d a perished in your sins if the fust preachers had a stay’d till they got SHEEPSKINS. Ibid. I can say as well as the best on them SHEEPSKINS, if you don’t git relijin and be saved, you’ll be lost, teetolly and ’tarnally forever an deverah!
1853. DICKENS, Bleak House, xxxii. The entanglement of real estate in the meshes of SHEEPSKIN.
