meniscus
muh-NIS-kuss
/məˈnɪs.kəs/
The curved upper surface of a liquid column in a narrow tube, produced by surface tension; can be concave or convex.
Refers to the optical curve of liquid surface inside graduated glass tubes like burettes and cylinders.
The story behind the word. Ancient Greeks called a small crescent shape a meniskos, a diminutive form of mene, meaning 'moon'. Scientists adopted the word because the liquid curve in a glass tube resembles a crescent moon.
Word relationships
- curvature: Curvature is any curved shape; meniscus refers specifically to the surface curve of liquid or crescent-shaped structures.
- flat surface: A liquid surface with no upward or downward edge curvature.
Commonly confused with
- meniscus (knee): In medicine, meniscus refers to crescent-shaped knee cartilage; in physical science, it is liquid surface curvature.
Word family
- menisci (noun): Classical plural form of meniscus.
- meniscuses (noun): Anglicized plural form of meniscus.
Collocations
- concave meniscus
- convex meniscus
- bottom of the meniscus
- read the meniscus
Example sentences
- "Always position your eye level with the bottom of the liquid meniscus when reading a volumetric cylinder." Analytical Chemistry Protocol
- "Water forms a concave meniscus in glass due to strong adhesive forces between water molecules and glass." Physics of Surface Tension
Memory hook
MENISCUS looks like a crescent MOON inside a glass tube. Crescent liquid curve in glass tube.
When not to use
Do not confuse liquid meniscus with the cartilage pad in the human knee unless specifically discussing anatomy.
Fun facts
- While water forms a concave (dipping) meniscus in glass, liquid mercury forms a convex (bulging upward) meniscus due to strong cohesive forces.
Related words
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