noun
Mensa
MEHN-suh
noun
1
In geology, a flat-topped, steep-sided landform, especially one seen on Mars and other planets — larger than a butte but similar in shape.
"The orbiter photographed a striking mensa rising from the Martian plain."
"Geologists compared the mensa's layered rock to sedimentary formations on Earth."
2
The flat top surface of an altar.
"Candles were arranged along the mensa of the old stone altar."
How to Use Mensa
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA flat, table-shaped raised surface — either the top of an altar or a plateau-like landform, most often used talking about Mars.
Common pairings
a mensa on Mars
the mensa of the altar
Word Forms
mensae plural, mensas plural
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The orbiter photographed a striking _____ rising from the Martian plain.
Etymology
From Latin mensa, meaning "table" — the same word used for the flat table-like altar top and, by extension, for flat-topped landforms.