hymen

¹ American  

[hahy-muhn] / ˈhaɪ mən /

noun

Anatomy.

1. a fold of mucous membrane partly closing the external orifice of the vagina in a virgin.

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Hymen ² American  

[hahy-muhn] / ˈhaɪ mən /

noun

1. the ancient Greek god of marriage.

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hymen ¹ British  

/ ˈhaɪmɛn /

noun

1. anatomy a fold of mucous membrane that partly covers the entrance to the vagina and is usually ruptured when sexual intercourse takes place for the first time

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Hymen ² British  

/ ˈhaɪmɛn /

noun

1. the Greek and Roman god of marriage

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hymen Scientific  

/ hī′mən /

1. A mucous membrane that partly closes the opening of the vagina.

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Hymen ¹ Cultural  

1. The Greek god of the wedding feast.

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hymen ² Cultural  

1. A thin fold of mucous membrane that covers all or part of the entrance to the vagina.

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Discover More

An apparently intact hymen is valued in some cultures as proof of virginity in a bride; this “proof,” however, is not accurate. The hymen may appear incomplete in a virgin, and it may appear intact in a woman who has engaged in sexual intercourse.

Other Word Forms

• hymenal adjective

Etymology

Origin of hymen

First recorded in 1605–15; from Late Latin hymēn, from Greek hymḗn “skin, membrane”; seam ( def. ), sew ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

The word hymen, which persists in nearly all medical textbooks, shares the same root as Hymen, the Greek god of marriage.

From New York Times • Sep. 21, 2021

The World Health Organization has said they have “no scientific validity” and the appearance of a hymen was not a reliable indicator of intercourse.

From Reuters • Aug. 11, 2021

The World Health Organization says the practice of inspecting the hymen visually or with fingers cannot prove whether a woman or girl has had vaginal intercourse or not.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2021

California Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez of San Diego has introduced legislation to prohibit hymen examinations by physicians; doing so would lead to potential disciplinary action by the state medical board.

From Scientific American • Mar. 2, 2020

It may be added that this interpretation of the biological function of the hymen is supported by the facts of its evolution.

From Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 5 Erotic Symbolism; The Mechanism of Detumescence; The Psychic State in Pregnancy by Ellis, Havelock