meniscus
[ mi-nis-kuh s ]
/ mɪˈnɪs kəs /
noun, plural me·nis·ci [mi-nis-ahy, -nis-kahy, -kee] /mɪˈnɪs aɪ, -ˈnɪs kaɪ, -ki/, me·nis·cus·es.
a crescent or a crescent-shaped body.
the convex or concave upper surface of a column of liquid, the curvature of which is caused by surface tension.
Optics. a lens with a crescent-shaped section; a concavo-convex or convexo-concave lens.
Anatomy. a disk of cartilage between the articulating ends of the bones in a joint.
Nearby words
Origin of meniscus
1685–95; < New Latin < Greek mēnískos crescent, diminutive of mḗnē moon
Related forms
me·nis·coid [mi-nis-koid] /mɪˈnɪs kɔɪd/, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for meniscus
British Dictionary definitions for meniscus
meniscus
/ (mɪˈnɪskəs) /
noun plural -nisci (-ˈnɪsaɪ) or -niscuses
the curved upper surface of a liquid standing in a tube, produced by the surface tension
a crescent or half-moon-shaped body or design
a crescent-shaped fibrous cartilage between the bones at certain joints, esp at the knee
a crescent-shaped lens; a concavo-convex or convexo-concave lens
Derived Forms
meniscoid, adjectiveWord Origin for meniscus
C17: from New Latin, from Greek mēniskos crescent, diminutive of mēnē moon
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medicine definitions for meniscus
meniscus
[ mə-nĭs′kəs ]
n. pl. me•nis•cus•es
A crescent-shaped body.
A concavo-convex lens.
The curved upper surface of a nonturbulent liquid in a container that is concave if the liquid wets the walls and convex if it does not.
A disk of cartilage that acts as a cushion between the ends of bones in a joint.
Related forms
me•nis′cal (-kəl) null null null adj.The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Science definitions for meniscus
meniscus
[ mə-nĭs′kəs ]
Plural menisci (mə-nĭs′ī, -kī, -kē) meniscuses
A lens that is concave on one side and convex on the other.
The curved upper surface of a column of liquid in a container. The surface is concave if the molecules of the liquid are attracted to the container walls and convex if they are not. See also surface tension.
A piece of cartilage shaped like a crescent and located at the junction of two bones in a joint. The meniscus acts to absorb shock.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.