membrane
/ˈmɛm.bɹeɪn/ noun
Forms membranes
- noun A mechanical, thin, flat flexible part that can deform or vibrate when excited by an external force.
- noun A flexible or semiflexible covering or waterproofing whose primary function is to exclude water.
- noun (biology) A microscopic double layer of lipids and proteins forming the boundary of cells or organelles.
- noun A piece of parchment forming part of a roll.
Synonyms
Etymology
Late Middle English, borrowed from Latin membrāna (“skin or membrane that covers parts of the body”), from membrum (“a limb or member of the body”) + -āna. Doublet of membrana.
Webster’s 1913
- noun A thin layer or fold of tissue, usually supported by a fibrous network, serving to cover or line some part or organ, and often secreting or absorbing certain fluids.
Etymology [F., fr. L. membrana the skin that covers the separate members of the body, fr. L. membrum. See Member.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “membrane”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details