meniscus

[ mi-nis-kuhs ]

noun

, plural me·nis·ci [mi-, nis, -ahy, -, nis, -kahy, -kee], me·nis·cus·es.

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

/ mə-nĭs′kəs /

, Plural menisci mə-nĭs′ī,-kī,-kē

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.

Derived Forms

• meˈniscoid, adjective

Other Words From

• me·nis·coid [mi-, nis, -koid], 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

Kershaw revealed on Friday that in addition to his toe injury, he has a torn meniscus in his left knee that will be surgically repaired with his toe.

From Los Angeles Times

Nina Dobrev is “ahead of schedule” in her recovery from a dirt bike accident that left her with a torn ACL and meniscus and a bone fracture.

From Los Angeles Times

In the first round against Phoenix, Leonard tore his meniscus and suffered cartilage damage on his repaired ACL, requiring another surgery.

From Los Angeles Times

After making four starts for Liverpool in the early part of last season under Jurgen Klopp, he tore his meniscus and had to undergo surgery.

From BBC

He suffered a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that sidelined him for the 2021-22 season, a meniscus tear during the 2023 playoffs and now the inflammation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arc
• arch
• contour
• loop
• trajectory