meniscus

meniscus
    n 1: (anatomy) a disk of cartilage that serves as a cushion
         between the ends of bones that meet at a joint [syn:
         {meniscus}, {semilunar cartilage}]
    2: (optics) a lens that is concave on one side and convex on the
       other
    3: (physics) the curved upper surface of a nonturbulent liquid
       in a vertical tube
    

Meniscus \Me*nis"cus\, n.; pl. L. {Menisci} (-s[imac]), E.
   {Meniscuses}. [NL., from Gr. mhni`skos, dim. of mh`nh the
   moon.]
   1. A crescent.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Opt.) A lens convex on one side and concave on the other.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Anat.) An interarticular synovial cartilage or membrane;
      esp., one of the intervertebral synovial disks in some
      parts of the vertebral column of birds.
      [1913 Webster]

   {Converging meniscus}, {Diverging meniscus}. See {Lens}.
      [1913 Webster]
    

36 Moby Thesaurus words for "meniscus":
      achromatic lens, astigmatic lens, burning glass, camera,
      coated lens, concave lens, concavo-convex lens, condenser,
      convex lens, crescent, crescent moon, eyeglass, eyepiece, glass,
      half-moon, hand lens, horseshoe, lens, lunula, lunule, magnifier,
      magnifying glass, object glass, objective, objective prism, ocular,
      prism, reader, reading glass, scythe, semicircle, sickle,
      telephoto lens, toric lens, varifocal lens, zoom lens