Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Dura mater
‖
Du′ra ma′ter
.[L., lit., hard mother. The membrane was called
mater
, or mother, because it was formerly thought to give rise to every membrane of the body.] (Anat.)
The tough, fibrous membrane, which lines the cavity of the skull and spinal column, and surrounds the brain and spinal cord; – frequently abbreviated to
dura
.