venation

[ vee-ney-shuhn, vuh- ]

noun

1. the arrangement of veins, as in a leaf or in the wing of an insect.
2. these veins collectively.

venation

/ viːˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the arrangement of the veins in a leaf or in the wing of an insect
2. such veins collectively

venation

/ vē-nā′shən /

1. The distribution or arrangement of a system of veins, as in an insect's wing or a leaf blade. Patterns of venation in insect wings are often used to identify and differentiate species. In angiosperm plants, the venation of eudicot and magnoliid leaves is generally netted or reticulate , with smaller veins branching out from larger ones in a pinnate or palmate pattern, while that of monocots is parallel , with many veins of similar size running parallel to each other along the length of the plant part. These parallel veins are connected to each other by much smaller cross veins.
2. The veins of such a system considered as a group.

Derived Forms

• veˈnational, adjective

Other Words From

• ve·nation·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of venation¹

1640–50; < Latin vēn ( a ) vein + -ation

Example Sentences

The venation is peculiar, and the disposition of the sori depends mainly on the peculiarities of the venation.

From Project Gutenberg

The fibro-vascular system in the leaf constitutes the venation.

From Project Gutenberg

The venation of the wings of insects is another example of modifications without serving any special purpose.

From Project Gutenberg

The compound leaves correspond to these modes of venation; they are either pinnately or palmately compound.

From Project Gutenberg

The thorax bears the two rather broad, membranous wings (Fig. 42) which have characteristic venation.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• hair
• lode
• nerve
• seam
• stripe