hymen
[ hahy-muhn ]
/ ˈhaɪ mən /
noun Anatomy.
a fold of mucous membrane partly closing the external orifice of the vagina in a virgin.
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Origin of hymen
1605–15; <Late Latin hymēn<Greek hymḗn skin, membrane, the virginal membrane
Words nearby hymen
hylophagous, hylotheism, hylotropic, hylozoism, Hyman, hymen, hymenal caruncle, hymeneal, hymenectomy, hymenitis, hymenium
Definition for hymen (2 of 2)
Hymen
[ hahy-muhn ]
/ ˈhaɪ mən /
noun
the ancient Greek god of marriage.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for hymen
British Dictionary definitions for hymen (1 of 2)
hymen
/ (ˈhaɪmɛn) /
noun
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
Derived forms of hymen
hymenal, adjectiveWord Origin for hymen
C17: from Greek: membrane
British Dictionary definitions for hymen (2 of 2)
Hymen
/ (ˈhaɪmɛn) /
noun
the Greek and Roman god of marriage
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for hymen
hymen
[ hī′mən ]
n.
A membranous fold of tissue that partly or completely occludes the external vaginal orifice.
Other words from hymen
hy′men•al adj.The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for hymen
hymen
[ hī′mən ]
A mucous membrane that partly closes the opening of the vagina.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for hymen (1 of 2)
hymen
[ (heye-muhn) ]
A thin fold of mucous membrane that covers all or part of the entrance to the vagina.
notes for hymen
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.
Cultural definitions for hymen (2 of 2)
Hymen
[ (heye-muhn) ]
The Greek god of the wedding feast.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.