meniscus

== English == === Etymology === From Ancient Greek μηνίσκος (mēnískos, “crescent”), from μήνη (mḗnē, “moon”). Piecewise doublet of moonish. === Pronunciation === (UK, US) IPA(key): /məˈnɪs.kəs/, /mɛˈnɪs.kəs/ Rhymes: -ɪskəs === Noun === meniscus (plural meniscuses or menisci) A crescent moon, or an object shaped like it. [from 17th c.] (optics) A lens which is convex on one side and concave on the other, being crescent-shaped in cross-section. [from 17th c.] The curved surface of liquids in tubes, whether concave or convex, caused by the surface tension of the liquid. [from 19th c.] (anatomy) Either of two parts of the human knee that provide structural integrity to the knee when it undergoes tension and torsion. [from 19th c.] ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === See also === lunette