velum

[vee-luhm]

noun

plural

vela, velum 

1. Biology.,  any of various veillike or curtainlike membranous partitions.

2. Anatomy.,  the soft palate. palate1

3. Meteorology.,  a thin cloud, large in horizontal area, that is draped over or penetrated by cumuliform clouds.

velum

/ ˈviːləm /

noun

1. zoology any of various membranous structures, such as the ciliated oral membrane of certain mollusc larvae or the veil-like membrane running around the rim of a jellyfish

2. anatomy any of various veil-like bodily structures, esp the soft palate

3. botany another word for veil

Word History and Origins

Origin of velum¹

First recorded in 1765–75, velum is from the Latin word vēlum sail, covering

Word History and Origins

Origin of velum¹

C18: from Latin: veil