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.

Origin of meniscus

1685–95; < New Latin < Greek mēnískos crescent, diminutive of mḗnē moon

OTHER WORDS FROM meniscus

me·nis·coid [mi-nis-koid] /mɪˈnɪs kɔɪd/, adjective

Words nearby meniscus

meniscectomy, meniscitis, meniscocyte, meniscocytosis, meniscofemoral ligament, meniscus, menispermaceous, menkes syndrome, menkure, menlo park, menninger

British Dictionary definitions for meniscoid

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 of meniscus

meniscoid, adjective

Word Origin for meniscus

C17: from New Latin, from Greek mēniskos crescent, diminutive of mēnē moon

Medical definitions for meniscoid

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.

Other words from meniscus

me•nis′cal (-kəl) null null null adj.

Scientific definitions for meniscoid

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.