menopausal
UK[ˌmenəˈpɔːzl]US[ˌmenəˈpɔːzl]
adj
Relating to or experiencing the menopause, the time in a woman's life when her menstrual periods stop permanently.
Morpheme Breakdown
men
o
pausal
men
month
o
connective
pausal
relating to a pause
Etymology
The term 'menopausal' is a modern medical compound, constructed in the late 19th century from classical elements. It directly combines the Greek root for 'month' (mēn), which is the basis for words related to the menstrual cycle, with the Greek-derived concept of a 'pause' or 'cessation' (pausis). The literal construction "monthly-stop" precisely describes the biological event—the cessation of the monthly menstrual periods. This scientific neologism elegantly encapsulates the core physiological change, transforming the ancient roots into a specific clinical adjective.
Analysis
Structure: men (month) + o (connective) + pausal (relating to a pause)
- men: From Greek mēn (month), referring to the monthly menstrual cycle.
- o: A connective vowel, typically of Greek origin, used to join word elements.
- pausal: From Greek pausis (a stopping, cessation), via the Late Latin pausa.
Examples
She was experiencing typical menopausal symptoms like hot flashes.
Hormone therapy is sometimes used to manage menopausal discomfort.
The study focused on cardiovascular health in postmenopausal women.