Part 6951

<hw>Mem"ber</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[OE. <ets>membre</ets>, F. <ets>membre</ets>, fr. L. <ets>membrum</ets>; cf. Goth. <ets>mimz</ets> flesh, Skr. <ets>mamsa</ets>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <fld>(Anat.)</fld> <def>A part of an animal capable of performing a distinct office; an organ; a limb.</def>

<blockquote>We have many <b>members</b> in one body, and all <b>members</b> have not the same office. <i>Rom. xii. 4.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Hence, a part of a whole; an independent constituent of a body</def>; as: <sd>(a)</sd> <def>A part of a discourse or of a period or sentence; a clause; a part of a verse.</def> <sd>(b)</sd> <fld>(Math.)</fld> <def>Either of the two parts of an algebraic equation, connected by the sign of equality.</def> <sd>(c)</sd> <fld>(Engin.)</fld> <def>Any essential part, as a post, tie rod, strut, etc., of a framed structure, as a bridge truss.</def> <sd>(d)</sd> <fld>(Arch.)</fld> <def>Any part of a building, whether constructional, as a pier, column, lintel, or the like, or decorative, as a molding, or group of moldings.</def> <sd>(e)</sd> <def>One of the persons composing a society, community, or the like; an individual forming part of an association; <as>as, a <ex>member</ex> of the society of Friends</as>.</def>

<cs><mcol><col>Compression member</col>, <col>Tension member</col></mcol> <fld>(Engin.)</fld>, <cd>a member, as a rod, brace, etc., which is subjected to compression or tension, respectively.</cd></cs>

<h1>Membered</h1> <Xpage=911>

<hw>Mem"bered</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Having limbs; -- chiefly used in composition.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Her.)</fld> <def>Having legs of a different tincture from that of the body; -- said of a bird in heraldic representations.</def>

<h1>Membership</h1> <Xpage=911>

<hw>Mem"ber*ship</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>The state of being a member.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>The collective body of members, as of a society.</def>

<h1>Membral</h1> <Xpage=911>

<hw>Mem"bral</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <fld>(Anat.)</fld> <def>Relating to a member.</def>

<h1>Membranaceous</h1> <Xpage=911>

<hw>Mem`bra*na"ceous</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>membranaceus</ets>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>Same as <er>Membranous</er>.</def>

<i>Arbuthnot.</i>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Bot.)</fld> <def>Thin and rather soft or pliable, as the leaves of the rose, peach tree, and aspen poplar.</def>

<h1>Membrane</h1> <Xpage=911>

<hw>Mem"brane</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[F., fr. L. <ets>membrana</ets> the skin that covers the separate members of the body, fr. L. <ets>membrum</ets>. See <er>Member</er>.]</ety> <fld>(Anat.)</fld> <def>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.</def>

<note>&hand; The term is also often applied to the thin, expanded parts, of various texture, both in animals and vegetables.</note>

<cs><col>Adventitious membrane</col>, <cd>a membrane connecting parts not usually connected, or of a different texture from the ordinary connection; as, the membrane of a cicatrix.</cd> -- <col>Jacob's membrane</col>. <cd>See under <er>Retina</er>.</cd> -- <col>Mucous membranes</col> <fld>(Anat.)</fld>, <cd>the membranes lining passages and cavities which communicate with the exterior, as well as ducts and receptacles of secretion, and habitually secreting mucus.</cd> -- <col>Schneiderian membrane</col>. <fld>(Anat.)</fld> <cd>See <er>Schneiderian</er>.</cd> -- <col>Serous membranes</col> <fld>(Anat.)</fld> <cd>, the membranes, like the peritoneum and pleura, which line, or lie in, cavities having no obvious outlet, and secrete a serous fluid.</cd></cs>

<h1>Membraneous</h1> <Xpage=911>

<hw>Mem*bra"ne*ous</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>membraneus</ets> of parchment.]</ety> <def>See <er>Membranous</er>.</def>

<h1>Membraniferous</h1> <Xpage=911>

<hw>Mem`bra*nif"er*ous</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[<ets>Membrane</ets> + <ets>-ferous</ets>.]</ety> <def>Having or producing membranes.</def>

<h1>Membraniform</h1> <Xpage=911>

<hw>Mem*bra"ni*form</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[<ets>Membrane</ets> + <ets>-form</ets>: cf. F. <ets>membraniforme</ets>.]</ety> <def>Having the form of a membrane or of parchment.</def>