n. [ Gr. "ymh`n skin, membrane.] (Anat.) A fold of muscous membrane often found at the orifice of the vagina in virgins; the vaginal membrane. It is usually torn by sexual intercourse. [1913 Webster +PJC]

n. [ L., fr. Gr. &unr_;. ] 1. (Class Myth.) A fabulous deity; according to some, the son of Apollo and Urania, according to others, of Bacchus and Venus. He was the god of marriage, and presided over nuptial solemnities. [ 1913 Webster ]

Till Hymen brought his love-delighted hour,
There dwelt no joy in Eden's rosy bower. Campbell. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Marriage; union as if by marriage. [ 1913 Webster ]

Hymen of element and race. Emerson.

adj. Same as hymeneal. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

{ } a. [ L. hymeneius, a., also Hymenaeus, n., Hymen, Gr. &unr_; the wedding song, also &unr_; Hymen: cf. F. hyménéal, hyménéen. ] Of or pertaining to marriage; as, hymeneal rites. Pope.

{ } n. A marriage song. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; pl. L. Hymenia E. Hymeniums [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_; a membrane. ] (Bot.) The spore-bearing surface of certain fungi, as that on the gills of a mushroom. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An order of fungi sometimes placed in subclass Homobasidiomycetes.
Syn. -- order Hymenogastrales. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_; a membrane + root of gi`gnesqai to be born. ] The production of artificial membranes by contact of two fluids, as albumin and fat, by which the globules of the latter are surrounded by a thin film of the former. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. pl. [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_; a membrane + &unr_;, &unr_;, a mushroom. ] (Bot.) One of the great divisions of fungi, containing those species in which the hymenium is completely exposed. M. J. Berkley. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_; a membrane + fe`rein to bear. ] (Bot.) That part of a fungus which is covered with the hymenium. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. hyménoptère. ] (Zool.) One of the Hymenoptera. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. pl. [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_; membrane-winged; &unr_; skin, membrane + &unr_; wing. ] (Zool.) An extensive order of insects, including the bees, ants, ichneumons, sawflies, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ They have four membranous wings, with few reticulations, and usually with a thickened, dark spot on the front edge of the anterior wings. In most of the species, the tongue, or lingua, is converted into an organ for sucking honey, or other liquid food, and the mandibles are adapted for biting or cutting. In one large division (Aculeata), including the bees, wasps, and ants, the females and workers usually have a sting, which is only a modified ovipositor.

n. (Zool.) One of the Hymenoptera. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Same as hymenopteran.
Syn. -- hymenopterous insect, hymenopteran, hymnenopter. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

{ } a. (Zool.) Like, or characteristic of, the Hymenoptera; pertaining to the Hymenoptera. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Pachy- + meningitis. ] (Med.) Inflammation of the dura mater or outer membrane of the brain. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) A liquid terpene obtained from oil of thyme. [ 1913 Webster ]