'Jacob's membrane' definitions:

Definition of 'Jacob's membrane'

From: GCIDE
  • 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]

Definition of 'Jacob's membrane'

From: GCIDE
  • 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]