precava

[ pree-key-vuh, -kah- ]

/ priˈkeɪ və, -ˈkɑ- /

noun, plural pre·ca·vae [pree-key-vee, -kah-vahy] /priˈkeɪ vi, -ˈkɑ vaɪ/.

(in squids) either of a pair of veins that pass through the kidney to the branchial heart.

Nearby words

precatory, precaution, precautionary, precautionary principle, precautious, precava, precede, precedence, precedency, precedent, precedented

Origin of precava

1865–70; pre- + (vena) cava

Related forms

pre·ca·val, adjective

Definition for precava (2 of 2)

vena cava

[ vee-nuh key-vuh ]

/ ˈvi nə ˈkeɪ və /

noun, plural ve·nae ca·vae [vee-nee key-vee] /ˈvi ni ˈkeɪ vi/. Anatomy.

either of two large veins discharging blood into the right atrium of the heart, one (superior vena cava or precava) conveying blood from the head, chest, and upper extremities and the other (inferior vena cava or postcava) conveying blood from all parts below the diaphragm.

Origin of vena cava

First recorded in 1590–1600, vena cava is from the Latin word vēna cava hollow vein

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for precava

vena cava

/ (ˈkeɪvə) /

noun plural venae cavae (ˈkeɪviː)

either one of the two large veins that convey oxygen-depleted blood to the heart

Word Origin for vena cava

Latin: hollow vein

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

Medicine definitions for precava (1 of 2)

precava

[ prē-kā′və, -kä′- ]

n. pl. pre•ca•vae (-vē)

superior vena cava

Related forms

pre•ca′val adj.

Medicine definitions for precava (2 of 2)

vena cava

[ kā′və ]

n. pl. venae ca•vae (kā′vē)

Either of the two venae cavae, designated inferior and superior.cava

Science definitions for precava

vena cava

[ vē′nə kā′və ]

Plural venae cavae (vē′nē kā′vē)

Either of two large veins that carry blood with low levels of oxygen to the right atrium of the heart.♦ The superior vena cava receives blood from the brain and upper limbs or forelimbs.♦ The inferior vena cava drains blood from the trunk and lower limbs or hindlimbs and is the largest vein in the body.