membrana

membrane

noun mem-BRAH-nah Rare

Origin: From Latin membrana ('skin, membrane').

Usage Note

Membrana denotes any thin, pliable layer separating or covering structures — biological (membrana cellulare — 'cell membrane', membrana del timpano — 'eardrum') or technical (a waterproof membrane in construction). The plural membrane follows the regular -a/-e pattern. In music, membrana is also the term for the skin of a drum (membranofono — 'membranophone').

Examples

"La membrana cellulare regola l'ingresso delle sostanze."

Natural Translation

The cell membrane regulates the entry of substances.

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