| Member | n. [ OE. membre, F. membre, fr. L. membrum; cf. Goth. mimz flesh, Skr. mamsa. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 1. (Anat.) A part of an animal capable of performing a distinct office; an organ; a limb. [ 1913 Webster ] We have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office. Rom. xii. 4. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Hence: A part of a whole; an independent constituent of a body; as: (a) A part of a discourse or of a period or sentence; a clause; a part of a verse. (b) (Math.) Either of the two parts of an algebraic equation, connected by the sign of equality. (c) (Engin.) Any essential part, as a post, tie rod, strut, etc., of a framed structure, as a bridge truss. (d) (Arch.) Any part of a building, whether constructional, as a pier, column, lintel, or the like, or decorative, as a molding, or group of moldings. (e) One of the persons composing a society, community, or the like; an individual forming part of an association; as, a member of the society of Friends. (f) (Math.) one of the elements which, taken together, comprise a set. (g) (Math.) one of the individual objects which comprise a group or class. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]
Compression member,
Tension member (Engin.), a member, as a rod, brace, etc., which is subjected to compression or tension, respectively. [ 1913 Webster ]
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| Membrane | n. [ F., fr. L. membrana the skin that covers the separate members of the body, fr. L. membrum. See Member. ] (Anat.) A thin layer or fold of tissue, usually supported by a fibrous network, serving to cover or line some part or organ, and often secreting or absorbing certain fluids. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ The term is also often applied to the thin, expanded parts, of various texture, both in animals and vegetables. [ 1913 Webster ]
Adventitious membrane, a membrane connecting parts not usually connected, or of a different texture from the ordinary connection; as, the membrane of a cicatrix. --
Jacob's membrane. See under Retina. --
Mucous membranes (Anat.), the membranes lining passages and cavities which communicate with the exterior, as well as ducts and receptacles of secretion, and habitually secreting mucus. --
Schneiderian membrane. (Anat.) See Schneiderian. --
Serous membranes (Anat.) , the membranes, like the peritoneum and pleura, which line, or lie in, cavities having no obvious outlet, and secrete a serous fluid. [ 1913 Webster ]
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