Dura

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈdjʊə.ɹə/

Definitions

1. A tough, fibrous membrane that envelops and protects the brain and spinal cord within the central nervous system; an adjective describing something hard or durable in nature; a term used in certain contexts to denote lasting strength or resistance
2. Refers to a dense outer covering of the brain and spinal cord providing protection; used as a descriptor for objects or materials known for their toughness; occasionally signifies endurance or solidity in various uses
3. Describes the thick, protective layer surrounding central nervous tissues; applied to indicate robustness or hardiness in physical substances; sometimes employed to express the quality of lasting durability or firmness

Etymology: "Dura" is a clipped form of a longer Latin phrase, "dura mater," meaning "tough mother." The Latin pairing once described the outermost of the three membranes that wrap the brain and spinal cord, and English speakers shortened it to the single word, which has been used in anatomy ever since. The first half, "dura," is the Latin adjective for "hard" or "tough," and "mater" means "mother." The name is usually explained as a reference to the membrane's protective, sheltering role, though the exact reasoning behind the pairing is not firmly recorded. Here the word is a shortened form, so the remaining question is the Latin phrase itself, which the source leaves unexplained beyond the clipping.

Synonyms: dura mater, membrane, covering