membrane Definition

membrane
noun

1. A thin sheet of tissue that lines a body cavity or surrounds a body part, organ, etc.

Thesaurus: lamina, velum, tissue.
2. biol.
A thin layer of lipid and protein molecules that forms the boundary between a cell and its surroundings. Also called cell membrane, plasma membrane.
3. Any thin, flexible covering or lining, eg plastic film.

Thesaurus: layer, sheath, film, veil.

Derivative: membranous
adj

Etymology: 17c; 16c in obsolete sense ‘parchment': from Latin membrana the skin of the body; parchment.