member
UK: ˈmembə | US: ˈmembər
n. a person belonging to a group or organization
n. a part of a structure or body (e.g., limb)
n. (archaic) a component or element of a whole
member = mem<part> + ber<noun suffix>
- mem (from Latin membrum, meaning "limb, part of the body")
- ber (a suffix forming nouns, often derived from Latin -brum or Old French -bre)
Etymology Origin:
The word "member" traces back to Latin membrum, referring to a limb or body part. Over time, it expanded metaphorically to denote any distinct part of a group or structure. The transition from physical limbs to organizational roles reflects the word's logical progression—emphasizing the idea of interconnected parts forming a whole.
She is a dedicated member of the local book club.
The robot's broken member was replaced with a new component.
Each member of the team contributed to the project's success.
In biology, a member can refer to a segment of an organism.
The committee voted to admit new members at the meeting.