membrane
UK[ˈmɛm.breɪn]US[ˈmɛm.breɪn]
n
A thin, soft, flexible layer of tissue or material that covers, lines, separates, or connects parts inside a living thing or a structure.
n
A thin, flexible sheet or layer of any material.
Morpheme Breakdown
membr
ane
membr
limb, part
ane
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'membrane' traces its lineage to the Latin membrāna, meaning "parchment, skin covering a body part," which itself derives from membrum (limb). The conceptual link is that a membrane is a thin layer or skin that covers or encloses a part, much like parchment (made from animal skin) or the natural covering of a limb. This Latin term passed into Middle English via Old French. The modern abstract meaning retains the core idea of a thin, pliable sheet that serves as a boundary or covering for a structure, whether biological or artificial.
Analysis
Structure: membr (limb, part) + ane (noun suffix)
'membr' originates from Latin membrum, meaning "limb, member, or part of the body." 'ane' is a variant of the Latin-derived suffix '-ana', often used to form nouns, here indicating a thing related to or characterized by the root.
Examples
The cell membrane controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell.
A thin plastic membrane was used as a waterproof barrier in the construction.
The tympanic membrane, or eardrum, vibrates in response to sound waves.