Palimpsest

ˈpælɪmpsest

noun

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

The word 'palimpsest' comes from the Greek words 'palin,' meaning 'again,' and 'psēstos,' meaning 'rubbed smooth.' It refers to a manuscript or piece of writing material that has been reused or overwritten, often resulting in layers of text visible beneath the surface.

See how Frank Herbert and Victor Hugo use "palimpsest", with its meaning, pronunciation and real book examples.