The word "membranoid" is spelled with the suffix "-oid", which means "resembling", and the root word "membrane". The IPA phonetic transcription of "membranoid" is /ˈmɛm.breɪ.nɔɪd/. The stress is on the second syllable, "bre". The "m" is pronounced like a regular "m", while the "b" is pronounced with a slight pause before releasing the sound. The "e" in "mem" is pronounced like the "e" in "men". The "n" in "mem" and "bre" is pronounced normally, while the "ai" in "bran" is pronounced like the "i" in "mind". Finally, the "oid" is pronounced like "oyd".
Membranoid is an adjective that describes something resembling or relating to a membrane. A membrane is a thin, pliable sheet or layer that serves as a boundary between two substances, compartments, or tissues. It can be made of various materials, such as biological matter, synthetic polymers, or natural substances like cellulose. Membranes have the ability to selectively allow certain substances to pass through while blocking others, making them essential for various biological and technological processes.
In the case of membranoid, the term is used to describe something that bears similarity to a membrane, either in appearance, structure, or function. For instance, a membranoid material may possess a thin, flexible nature akin to a membrane. It could also imply that the material exhibits characteristics indicative of selective permeability or barrier properties similar to those of a membrane.
The concept of membranoid extends beyond its biological context and may be applied to various fields. For example, in engineering or architecture, membranoid structures or designs may refer to flexible or thin elements that resemble or function similarly to a membrane, such as inflatable structures or tensioned fabrics. In this sense, membranoid is a term used to characterize or categorize objects, materials, or systems that exhibit characteristics typical of a membrane-like structure.
Membraniform.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.