meninges

[mi-nin-jeez]

plural noun

Anatomy.

singular

meninx 

1. the three membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

meninges

/ mɪˈnɪndʒɪəl, mɪˈnɪndʒiːz /

plural noun

1. the three membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord See dura mater arachnoid pia mater

meninges

1. The three membranes that enclose the vertebrate brain and spinal cord: the pia mater, arachnoid, and dura mater.

meninges

1. The membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

Other Word Forms

• meningeal adjective
• intermeningeal adjective
• postmeningeal adjective
• submeningeal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of meninges¹

1610–20; < New Latin < Greek mḗninges, plural of mêninx membrane

Word History and Origins

Origin of meninges¹

C17: from Greek, pl of meninx membrane