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Glite Dictionary
virginal membrane

virginal membrane

9.5
A thin fold of skin that partly covers the entrance to the vagina and is present at birth
  • noun
  • /ˈvɜrdʒɪnəl ˈmɛmˌbreɪn/
  • Archaic
translation icon : membrana virginal
  • The doctor explained that the virginal membrane is a tissue fold that can vary greatly in appearance among individuals.

Examples

  • The doctor explained that the virginal membrane can vary greatly in appearance among individuals.

  • Some cultures place importance on the presence of the virginal membrane as a sign of purity.

  • In some cases, the virginal membrane may tear due to physical activity, not just sexual intercourse.

  • The virginal membrane can vary in thickness.

  • Some women may have a thicker virginal membrane than others.

  • In some cultures, the presence of the virginal membrane is seen as significant for notions of purity.

  • After childbirth, many women experience changes in the virginal membrane due to physical changes in their bodies.

Synonyms

hymen
vsvirginal membrane
  • Specialized
12 8.8

A thin piece of skin that partly covers the opening of the vagina

is an alternative descriptive name rather than the standard anatomical label
maidenhead
vsvirginal membrane
  • Archaic
2 9.9

A thin piece of skin partly covering the opening of the vagina

is the modern neutral term rather than an archaic one

Antonyms

damaged
1 1.1

Harmed so it works or looks worse

Surface Forms

virginal membrane singular
virginal membranes plural

Morphology

virginal + membrane

The phrase denotes a membrane associated with virginity: 'virginal' (relating to being a virgin) combined with 'membrane' (a thin layer) yields a literal anatomical description (the hymen). This adj+noun composition is descriptive and follows regular English word-building, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Virginal membrane comes from old words: virginal (from a word for a young woman or 'virgin') and membrane (a thin piece of skin). People used this name for the thin fold of tissue at the entrance to the vagina, so the phrase refers to that tissue and is another name for the 'hymen'.