Main Entry: men·ar·che

Pronunciation: \ˈme-ˌnär-kē\

Function: noun

Etymology: New Latin, from men- + Greek archē beginning

Date: circa 1900

: the beginning of the menstrual function; especially : the first menstrual period of an individual

— men·ar·che·al \ˌme-när-ˈkē-əl\ adjective