precava

[pree-key-vuh, -kah-]

noun, plural pre·ca·vae

[pree-key-vee, -kah-vahy] /priˈkeɪ vi, -ˈkɑ vaɪ/.

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

Origin of precava

1865–70; pre- + (vena) cava

Related formspre·ca·val, adjective

vena cava

[vee-nuh key-vuh]

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. 2018

British Dictionary definitions for precava

vena cava

noun plural venae cavae (ˈkeɪviː)

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

Word Origin

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