Menstration
/mɛnˈstreɪʃən/noun
An obsolete or variant term for menstruation, the periodic shedding of the uterine lining.
Did you know?The word ultimately traces to the ancient root for “month,” reflecting the historical belief that menstrual cycles followed the roughly monthly lunar cycle.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*méh₁n̥s
“Moon or month; a measure of recurring time”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*mēnô
“Moon and month”
Old English
Old English
mōna
“Moon”
Ancient Latin
Latin
mēnsis
“Month”
Classical Latin
Latin
menstruus
“Monthly”
Medieval Latin
Latin
menstruatio
“Menstruation or monthly bodily discharge”
Modern English
English
menstration
“An obsolete or variant form referring to menstruation”