meniscus

[mi-nis-kuhs]

noun

plural

menisci, meniscuses 

1. a crescent or a crescent-shaped body.

2. the convex or concave upper surface of a column of liquid, the curvature of which is caused by surface tension.

3. Optics.,  a lens with a crescent-shaped section; a concavo-convex or convexo-concave lens.

4. Anatomy.,  a disk of cartilage between the articulating ends of the bones in a joint.

meniscus

/ mɪˈnɪskəs /

noun

1. the curved upper surface of a liquid standing in a tube, produced by the surface tension

2. a crescent or half-moon-shaped body or design

3. a crescent-shaped fibrous cartilage between the bones at certain joints, esp at the knee

4. a crescent-shaped lens; a concavo-convex or convexo-concave lens

meniscus

plural

menisci 

1. A lens that is concave on one side and convex on the other.

2. 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.

3. See also surface tension

4. 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.

Other Word Forms

• meniscoid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of meniscus¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of meniscus¹

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

Example Sentences

Molden spent camp rehabbing from injuries, including a broken fibula and torn meniscus.

From Los Angeles Times

After recovering from his injuries, Arenas was barely two weeks back from being medically cleared to practice when he sustained a slight meniscus tear and bone bruise.

From Los Angeles Times

Molden missed the offseason program after undergoing knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus, but told reporters in April he was prepared to return fully for training camp.

From Los Angeles Times

Sidelined by a torn ACL and meniscus, Brink has steadily progressed through drills and contact work since training camp.

From Los Angeles Times

Before his difficult end to last season, he played in just two playoff games during the Clippers’ series against the Phoenix Suns in 2023 because of a meniscus tear.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arc 
• arch 
• contour 
• loop 
• trajectory