vas

¹

[vas]

noun

Anatomy, Zoology, Botany.

plural

vasa 

1. a vessel or duct.

vas-

²

1. variant of vaso- before a vowel.

   vasectomy.

vas-

¹

combining form

1. a variant of vaso-

vas

²

/ væs /

noun

1. anatomy zoology a vessel, duct, or tube that carries a fluid

Word History and Origins

Origin of vas¹

First recorded in 1645–55, vas is from the Latin word vās vessel

Word History and Origins

Origin of vas¹

C17: from Latin: vessel

Example Sentences

Spotting the vases, he chipped the encrustation off one of them and was convinced what he was holding in his hands was celadon, an extremely valuable East Asian stoneware characterized by its beautiful blue-green glaze.

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The “Throne” is accompanied by matching candlesticks and four ornate vases holding silver and gilt relief bouquets, given by Philip’s successor, Charles II.

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Instead guests in elaborate gowns and tuxedos discreetly glanced at their phones propped on tables and at the base of flower vases across the star-packed venue.

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Calvert, who is learning pottery, holds one of the vases she is making for people who helped her after the fire.

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At the Met, I felt this shift as soon as I walked through the entrance hall and saw the fresh flowers spilling out of the tall ceramic vases.

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When To Use

What does vas- mean?

Vas- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “vessel,” typically referring to blood vessels, such as veins and arteries. It is often used in medical terms, especially in anatomy.In some instances, vas- specifically refers to the vas deferens, the duct that carries sperm to the penis.Vas- is a variant of vaso-, which loses its -o- when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels.Want to know more? Read our Words That Use vaso- article.Vas- comes from the Latin vās, meaning “vessel.” The Latin vās is also the source of the word vase, which is, after all, a type of vessel—often for flowers! And the diminutive form of vās is vāsculum, literally “little vessel”; it’s the source of the word vascular, commonly encountered in cardiovascular.Learn more about cardio- at our Words That Use cardio- and Words That Use cardi- articles.