vein
one of the system of branching vessels or tubes conveying blood from various parts of the body to the heart.
(loosely) any blood vessel.
one of the riblike thickenings that form the framework of the wing of an insect.
one of the strands or bundles of vascular tissue forming the principal framework of a leaf.
any body or stratum of ore, coal, etc., clearly separated or defined: a rich vein of coal.
a body or mass of igneous rock, deposited mineral, or the like occupying a crevice or fissure in rock; lode.
a natural channel or watercourse beneath the surface of the earth.
the water running through such a channel.
a streak or marking, as of a different shade or color, running through marble, wood, etc.
a condition, mood, or temper: a vein of pessimism.
a tendency, quality, or strain traceable in character, conduct, writing, etc.; manner or style: to write in a poetic vein.
to furnish with veins.
to mark with lines or streaks suggesting veins.
to extend over or through in the manner of veins: Broad new highways vein the countryside.
Origin of vein
1Other words for vein
Other words from vein
- veinal, adjective
- veinless, adjective
- veinlike, adjective
- in·ter·vein, verb (used with object)
- in·ter·vein·al, adjective
- subvein, noun
- un·veined, adjective
Words that may be confused with vein
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for vein
/ (veɪn) /
any of the tubular vessels that convey oxygen-depleted blood to the heart: Compare pulmonary vein, artery Related adjective: venous
any of the hollow branching tubes that form the supporting framework of an insect's wing
any of the vascular strands of a leaf
a clearly defined mass of ore, mineral, etc, filling a fault or fracture, often with a tabular or sheetlike shape
an irregular streak of colour or alien substance in marble, wood, or other material
a natural underground watercourse
a crack or fissure
a distinctive trait or quality in speech, writing, character, etc; strain: a vein of humour
a temporary disposition, attitude, or temper; mood: the debate entered a frivolous vein
Irish a parting in hair
to diffuse over or cause to diffuse over in streaked patterns
to fill, furnish, or mark with or as if with veins
Origin of vein
1Derived forms of vein
- veinal, adjective
- veinless, adjective
- veinlike, adjective
- veiny, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for vein
[ vān ]
Any of the blood vessels that carry blood toward the heart from the body's cells, tissues, and organs. Veins are thin-walled and contain valves that prevent the backflow of blood. All veins except the pulmonary vein carry blood with low levels of oxygen.
One of the narrow, usually branching tubes or supporting parts forming the framework of an insect's wing or a leaf. Veins in insect wings carry hemolymph and contain a nerve. Veins in leaves contain vascular tissue, with the xylem usually occurring on the upper side of the vein (bringing in water and nutrients) and the phloem on the lower side (carrying away food). See more at leaf venation.
A long, narrow deposit of mineral or rock that fills the void formed by a fracture or fault in another rock. The mineralogy of the host rock surrounding the vein is often altered where it is in contact with the vein because of chemical reactions between the two rock types.
Other words from vein
- venous adjective (vē′nəs)
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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