membranous

adjective

mem·​bra·​nous ˈmem-brə-nəs How to pronounce membranous (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or resembling membrane
2
: thin, pliable, and often somewhat transparent
membranous leaves
3
: characterized or accompanied by the formation of a usually abnormal membrane or membranous layer
membranous croup
membranously adverb

Examples of membranous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The cicada bobblehead features prominent red eyes set wide apart, short antennae and membranous wings. Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 21 June 2024 The tiny baby octopuses—each about the size of a nickel—emerged from soft, membranous eggs, clutched in their mothers’ protective embrace. Ashley Balzer Vigil, Scientific American, 3 July 2023 These ailments include myocarditis, neuromyelitis optica, primary membranous nephropathy and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Maddie Bender, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2021 All three musicians came of age in the era of shuffling playlists and collapsing styles, when the boundaries between rock, folk, hip-hop, and electronic became so membranous that the categories began to lose meaning. Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2023 Her dreams are red, membranous throbs. Helen Shaw, Vulture, 25 June 2021 Two Yi qi stretch their membranous wings. National Geographic, 15 Sep. 2020 When isolated and exposed to water, most phospholipids can self-assemble into membranous structures. Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2013 But instead of feathery wings like its close relatives, Yi qi flew on bat-like membranous wings. K. N. Smith, Discover Magazine, 29 Apr. 2015

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'membranous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of membranous was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near membranous

Cite this Entry

“Membranous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/membranous. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

membranous

adjective
mem·​bra·​nous ˈmem-brə-nəs How to pronounce membranous (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or resembling membranes
a membranous lining
2
: characterized or accompanied by the formation of a usually abnormal membrane or membranous layer
membranous croup
membranously adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on membranous

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