[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

member \mem"ber\, n. oe. membre, f. membre, fr. l. membrum; cf.
   goth. mimz flesh, skr. mamsa.
   1913 webster
   1. anat. a part of an animal capable of performing a
      distinct office; an organ; a limb.
      1913 webster

            we have many members in one body, and all members
            have not the same office.             --rom. xii. 4.
      1913 webster

   2. hence: a part of a whole; an independent constituent of a
      body; as:
      a a part of a discourse or of a period or sentence; a
          clause; a part of a verse.
      b math. either of the two parts of an algebraic
          equation, connected by the sign of equality.
      c engin. any essential part, as a post, tie rod,
          strut, etc., of a framed structure, as a bridge truss.
      d arch. any part of a building, whether
          constructional, as a pier, column, lintel, or the
          like, or decorative, as a molding, or group of
          moldings.
      e one of the persons composing a society, community, or
          the like; an individual forming part of an
          association; as, a member of the society of friends.
      f math. one of the elements which, taken together,
          comprise a set.
      g math. one of the individual objects which comprise a
          group or class.
          1913 webster +pjc

   compression member, tension member engin., a member, as
      a rod, brace, etc., which is subjected to compression or
      tension, respectively.
      1913 webster
see also:
compression member tension member 

[2] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

tension \ten"sion\, n. l. tensio, from tendere, tensum, to
   stretch: cf. f. tension. see tense, a.
   1. the act of stretching or straining; the state of being
      stretched or strained to stiffness; the state of being
      bent strained; as, the tension of the muscles, tension of
      the larynx.
      1913 webster

   2. fig.: extreme strain of mind or excitement of feeling;
      intense effort.
      1913 webster

   3. the degree of stretching to which a wire, cord, piece of
      timber, or the like, is strained by drawing it in the
      direction of its length; strain. --gwilt.
      1913 webster

   4. mech. the force by which a part is pulled when forming
      part of any system in equilibrium or in motion; as, the
      tension of a srting supporting a weight equals that
      weight.
      1913 webster

   5. a device for checking the delivery of the thread in a
      sewing machine, so as to give the stitch the required
      degree of tightness.
      1913 webster

   6. physics expansive force; the force with which the
      particles of a body, as a gas, tend to recede from each
      other and occupy a larger space; elastic force;
      elasticity; as, the tension of vapor; the tension of air.
      1913 webster

   7. elec. the quality in consequence of which an electric
      charge tends to discharge itself, as into the air by a
      spark, or to pass from a body of greater to one of less
      electrical potential. it varies as the quantity of
      electricity upon a given area.
      1913 webster

   tension brace, or tension member engin., a brace or
      member designed to resist tension, or subjected to
      tension, in a structure.

   tension rod engin., an iron rod used as a tension member
      to strengthen timber or metal framework, roofs, or the
      like.
      1913 webster
see also:
tense tension brace tension member tension rod 

Member >> M Words
Member, definition of term: Member
member_pag1.html

Tension >> T Words
Tension, definition of term: Tension
tension_pag1.html

Staff Member >> S Words
Staff Member, definition of term: Staff Member
staff+member_pag1.html

Surface Tension >> S Words
Surface Tension, definition of term: Surface Tension
surface+tension_pag1.html