from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Jacob \Ja"cob\, n. [Cf. F. Jacob. See 2d {Jack}.]
A Hebrew patriarch (son of Isaac, and ancestor of the Jews),
who in a vision saw a ladder reaching up to heaven (--Gen.
xxviii. 12); -- also called {Israel}.
[1913 Webster]
And Jacob said . . . with my staff I passed over this
Jordan, and now I am become two bands. --Gen. xxxii.
9, 10.
[1913 Webster]
Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel.
--Gen. xxxii.
28.
[1913 Webster]
{Jacob's ladder}.
(a) (Bot.) A perennial herb of the genus {Polemonium}
({Polemonium c[oe]ruleum), having corymbs of drooping
flowers, usually blue. Gray}.
(b) (Naut.) A rope ladder, with wooden steps, for going
aloft. --R. H. Dana, Jr.
(c) (Naut.) A succession of short cracks in a defective spar.
{Jacob's membrane}. See {Retina}.
{Jacob's staff}.
(a) A name given to many forms of staff or weapon, especially
in the Middle Ages; a pilgrim's staff. [Obs.] --Spenser.
(b) (Surveying) See under {Staff}.
[1913 Webster]
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Membrane \Mem"brane\, n. [F., fr. L. membrana the skin that
covers the separate members of the body, fr. L. membrum. See
{Member}.] (Anat.)
A thin layer or fold of tissue, usually supported by a
fibrous network, serving to cover or line some part or organ,
and often secreting or absorbing certain fluids.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The term is also often applied to the thin, expanded
parts, of various texture, both in animals and
vegetables.
[1913 Webster]
{Adventitious membrane}, a membrane connecting parts not
usually connected, or of a different texture from the
ordinary connection; as, the membrane of a cicatrix.
{Jacob's membrane}. See under {Retina}.
{Mucous membranes} (Anat.), the membranes lining passages and
cavities which communicate with the exterior, as well as
ducts and receptacles of secretion, and habitually
secreting mucus.
{Schneiderian membrane}. (Anat.) See {Schneiderian}.
{Serous membranes} (Anat.), the membranes, like the
peritoneum and pleura, which line, or lie in, cavities
having no obvious outlet, and secrete a serous fluid.
[1913 Webster]