HYMEN

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does Hymen mean? 

• HYMEN (noun)
  The noun HYMEN has 2 senses:

1. (Greek mythology) the god of marriage

2. a fold of tissue that partly covers the entrance to the vagina of a virgin

  Familiarity information: HYMEN used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HYMEN (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(Greek mythology) the god of marriage

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Instance hypernyms:

Greek deity (a deity worshipped by the ancient Greeks)

Domain category:

Greek mythology (the mythology of the ancient Greeks)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A fold of tissue that partly covers the entrance to the vagina of a virgin

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Synonyms:

hymen; maidenhead; virginal membrane

Hypernyms ("hymen" is a kind of...):

mucosa; mucous membrane (mucus-secreting membrane lining all body cavities or passages that communicate with the exterior)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "hymen"):

imperforate hymen (hymen that is completely closed so that menstrual blood cannot flow out)

Holonyms ("hymen" is a part of...):

vagina (the lower part of the female reproductive tract; a moist canal in female mammals extending from the labia minora to the uterus)

Derivation:

hymenal (of or relating to the hymen)

 Context examples 

The uterus has descended above the hymen.

(First Degree Uterine Prolapse, NCI Thesaurus)

Fanny read to herself that it was with infinite concern the newspaper had to announce to the world a matrimonial fracas in the family of Mr. R. of Wimpole Street; the beautiful Mrs. R., whose name had not long been enrolled in the lists of Hymen, and who had promised to become so brilliant a leader in the fashionable world, having quitted her husband's roof in company with the well-known and captivating Mr. C., the intimate friend and associate of Mr. R., and it was not known even to the editor of the newspaper whither they were gone.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

It is just what I used to say to a certain gentleman in company in the days of courtship, when, because things did not go quite right, did not proceed with all the rapidity which suited his feelings, he was apt to be in despair, and exclaim that he was sure at this rate it would be May before Hymen's saffron robe would be put on for us.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)