The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Member \Mem"ber\, n. [OE. membre, F. membre, fr. L. membrum; cf.
   Goth. mimz flesh, Skr. mamsa.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. (Anat.) A part of an animal capable of performing a
      distinct office; an organ; a limb.
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            We have many members in one body, and all members
            have not the same office.             --Rom. xii. 4.
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   2. Hence: A part of a whole; an independent constituent of a
      body; as:
      (a) A part of a discourse or of a period or sentence; a
          clause; a part of a verse.
      (b) (Math.) Either of the two parts of an algebraic
          equation, connected by the sign of equality.
      (c) (Engin.) Any essential part, as a post, tie rod,
          strut, etc., of a framed structure, as a bridge truss.
      (d) (Arch.) Any part of a building, whether
          constructional, as a pier, column, lintel, or the
          like, or decorative, as a molding, or group of
          moldings.
      (e) One of the persons composing a society, community, or
          the like; an individual forming part of an
          association; as, a member of the society of Friends.
      (f) (Math.) one of the elements which, taken together,
          comprise a set.
      (g) (Math.) one of the individual objects which comprise a
          group or class.
          [1913 Webster +PJC]

   Compression member, Tension member (Engin.), a member, as
      a rod, brace, etc., which is subjected to compression or
      tension, respectively.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Tension \Ten"sion\, n. [L. tensio, from tendere, tensum, to
   stretch: cf. F. tension. See Tense, a.]
   1. The act of stretching or straining; the state of being
      stretched or strained to stiffness; the state of being
      bent strained; as, the tension of the muscles, tension of
      the larynx.
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   2. Fig.: Extreme strain of mind or excitement of feeling;
      intense effort.
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   3. The degree of stretching to which a wire, cord, piece of
      timber, or the like, is strained by drawing it in the
      direction of its length; strain. --Gwilt.
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   4. (Mech.) The force by which a part is pulled when forming
      part of any system in equilibrium or in motion; as, the
      tension of a srting supporting a weight equals that
      weight.
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   5. A device for checking the delivery of the thread in a
      sewing machine, so as to give the stitch the required
      degree of tightness.
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   6. (Physics) Expansive force; the force with which the
      particles of a body, as a gas, tend to recede from each
      other and occupy a larger space; elastic force;
      elasticity; as, the tension of vapor; the tension of air.
      [1913 Webster]

   7. (Elec.) The quality in consequence of which an electric
      charge tends to discharge itself, as into the air by a
      spark, or to pass from a body of greater to one of less
      electrical potential. It varies as the quantity of
      electricity upon a given area.
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   Tension brace, or Tension member (Engin.), a brace or
      member designed to resist tension, or subjected to
      tension, in a structure.

   Tension rod (Engin.), an iron rod used as a tension member
      to strengthen timber or metal framework, roofs, or the
      like.
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