Menarche

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /mɛˈnɑːki/

Origin

First attested 1900, from German Menarche (1895), formed from meno- ("menstruation") + Ancient Greek ἀρχή (arche, "beginning").

Full definition of menarche

Noun

1. The onset of menstruation; the beginning of the menstrual period. A girl's first period.
• 1973, Patrick O'Brian, HMS Surprise:How old is she? Nine? Ten? The menarche is not far off – a hint of a bosom, poor child.
• 1978, Benjamin Walker, Encyclopedia of Metaphysical Medicine, Routledge 1978, p. 252:The most potent and indeed dangerous of all menstrual blood was the menarche, the first day's flow of the first menstruation of a virgin girl.

Antonyms

• menopause