member

member
\ \ [13] Latin membrum originally meant ‘part of the body, limb, organ’ (it has been connected tentatively with various words in other Indo-European languages meaning ‘flesh, meat’, including Sanskrit māmsám and Gothic mimz). But it was early broadened out metaphorically to ‘part of anything, one that belongs’, and brought that meaning with it via Old French membre into English. The original sense still survives, though, particularly with reference to the ‘penis’ (an application that originated in Latin – membrōsus denoted ‘having a large penis’).
\ \ Derived from Latin membrum was the adjective membrānus. Its feminine form membrāna was used as a noun meaning ‘skin covering an organ or limb’ – whence English membrane [16].
\ \ Cf.MEMBRANE

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • member — I (constituent part) noun article, branch, category, component, department, division, element, factor, feature, fraction, ingredient, integral part, item, link, part, piece, portion, section, segment, share, small part, subdivision, subordinate… …   Law dictionary

  • Member — Mem ber, 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • member — (n.) late 13c., sex organ (Cf. L. membrum virile, but in English originally of women as well as men), also, body part or organ (in plural, the body ), from O.Fr. membre part, portion; topic, subject; limb, member of the body; member (of a group,… …   Etymology dictionary

  • member — [mem′bər] n. [ME membre < OE < L membrum < IE * mēmsro , var. of mēmso , flesh > Sans māṁsá , Goth mimz, flesh] 1. a part or organ of a human or animal body; specif., a) an arm or leg b) the penis 2. a part of a plant considered with… …   English World dictionary

  • member — [n1] part of a group affiliate, associate, branch, chapter, component, comrade, constituent, cut, division, joiner, offshoot, parcel, piece, portion, post, representative, section, segment, unit; concepts 417,834,835 member [n2] appendage arm,… …   New thesaurus

  • Member — Mem ber, v. t. [See {Remember}.] To remember; to cause to remember; to mention. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • member — *part, portion, piece, detail, division, section, segment, sector, fraction, fragment, parcel Analogous words: *element, component, constituent: branch, limb, *shoot, bough …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • member — ► NOUN 1) a person or organization belonging to a group or society. 2) a part of a complex structure. 3) archaic a part of the body, especially a limb. DERIVATIVES membership noun. ORIGIN Latin membrum limb …   English terms dictionary

  • member — mem|ber W1S1 [ˈmembə US ər] n [Date: 1300 1400; : Old French; Origin: membre, from Latin membrum] 1.) a person or country that belongs to a group or organization ▪ The majority of union members voted in favour of a strike. member of ▪ He is a… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • member — An individual admitted to membership on the exchange or any of its Divisions. Chicago Mercantile Exchange Glossary See client Euroclear Clearing and Settlement glossary * * * member mem‧ber [ˈmembə ǁ ər] noun [countable] a person, group, or… …   Financial and business terms

  • member — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ elite, high ranking, influential, key, leading, powerful, prominent ▪ ranking (AmE), senior …   Collocations dictionary

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