membranaceous, a.
(mɛmbrəˈneɪʃəs)
[f. late L. membrānāceus, f. membrāna membrane: see -aceous.]
1. Nat. Hist. Resembling or of the nature of a membrane; membranous. In Bot. (see quot. 1832).
| 1684 tr. Bonet's Merc. Compit. vii. 253 Men observe the membranaceous Stalk..where the Ganglium rises. 1713 Derham Phys.-Theol. iv. xi. 199 Where teeth are wanting..the Defect is abundantly supplied by one thin membranaceous Ventricle. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. s.v. Leaf, Membranaceous Leaf, one merely composed of membranes with no pulp between. 1832 Lindley Introd. Bot. 397 Membranaceous..; thin and semitransparent, like a fine membrane; as the leaves of Mosses. 1871 Hartwig Subterr. W. ii. 11 The soft membranaceous swimming feet. 1874 H. C. Wood Fresh-w. Algæ 14 Thallus membranaceous. |
2. Printed on vellum. nonce-use.
| 1824 Dibdin Libr. Comp. 621 note, The unique copy..on vellum, in the matchless membranaceous Alduses of Spencer House. |