Diploma

Diploma (Lat. diploma; Greek δίπλωμα, from διπλοῦσθαι, to fold together), a name given to writings or documents conferring certain honors or privileges. The Roman emperors were in the habit of giving charters or donations written on two leaves or tablets of wax or copper, folded together; hence the name diploma. The term is now mostly applied to instruments given by universities and other learned societies, in proof of the holder having attained a certain degree, or to the licenses held by professional persons to practice their art. — Encyclop. Metropolitana, s.v; Chambers, Encyclopaedia, s.v.