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precava

[ pree-key-vuh, -kah- ]
/ priˈkeɪ və, -ˈkɑ- /

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.

Nearby words

  1. precatory,
  2. precaution,
  3. precautionary,
  4. precautionary principle,
  5. precautious,
  6. precede,
  7. precedence,
  8. precedency,
  9. precedent,
  10. precedented

Origin of precava

1865–70; pre- + (vena) cava
Related formspre·ca·val, adjective

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
Word Origin and History for precava

vena cava

n.

Medical Latin, from Latin vena "vein" (see vein) + cava, from cavus "hollow" (see cave (n.)).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for precava

precava

[ prē-kā′və, -kä′- ]

n. pl. pre•ca•vae (-vē)

superior vena cava
Related formspre•ca′val adj.

vena cava

[ kā′və ]

n. pl. venae ca•vae (kā′vē)

Either of the two venae cavae, designated inferior and superior.cava
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.