Menstrual
/ˈmɛn.stru.əl/noun
Relating to the monthly discharge of blood and tissue from the lining of the uterus.
Did you know?Ancient Roman and Greek traditions linked 'mensis' (month) to the moon goddess, viewing menstrual blood as a potent lunar elixir in fertility rituals.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European (~4500 BCE)
PIE
*meh₁ns-
“month (lunar month)”
Ancient Latin (c. 700 BCE)
Lat
mensis
“month”
Classical Latin (c. 100 BCE)
Lat
menstruus
“monthly”
Medieval Latin (c. 800 CE)
MLat
menstrualis
“pertaining to the monthly flow”
Old French (c. 1200 CE)
OF
menstruel
“menstrual”
Middle English (late 14th c.)
ME
menstrual
“pertaining to menses”
Modern English (19th c.)
Eng
menstrual
“relating to menstruation”