vein

[ veyn ]

/ veɪn /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR vein ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

one of the system of branching vessels or tubes conveying blood from various parts of the body to the heart.

(loosely) any blood vessel.

one of the riblike thickenings that form the framework of the wing of an insect.

one of the strands or bundles of vascular tissue forming the principal framework of a leaf.

any body or stratum of ore, coal, etc., clearly separated or defined: a rich vein of coal.

a body or mass of igneous rock, deposited mineral, or the like occupying a crevice or fissure in rock; lode.

a natural channel or watercourse beneath the surface of the earth.

the water running through such a channel.

a streak or marking, as of a different shade or color, running through marble, wood, etc.

a condition, mood, or temper: a vein of pessimism.

a tendency, quality, or strain traceable in character, conduct, writing, etc.; manner or style:to write in a poetic vein.

verb (used with object)

to furnish with veins.

to mark with lines or streaks suggesting veins.

to extend over or through in the manner of veins: Broad new highways vein the countryside.

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What does "scattergood" mean?

a person who acts as though he or she knows everything and who dismisses the opinions, comments, or suggestions of others.

a person who spends possessions or money extravagantly or wastefully; spendthrift.

a well-intentioned but naive and often ineffectual social or political reformer.

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Origin of vein

1250–1300; Middle English veine<Old French <Latin vēna vein of the body, channel, ore deposit

SYNONYMS FOR vein

11 tone, streak, touch, hint, thread.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR vein ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM vein

veinal, adjectiveveinless, adjectiveveinlike, adjectivein·ter·vein, verb (used with object)

in·ter·vein·al, adjectivesubvein, nounun·veined, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH vein

vain, vane, vein .

Words nearby vein

veiled, veiling, veilleuse, Veillonella, veiltail goldfish, vein, veining, veinlet, vein of bulb of penis, vein of cochlear canal, vein of eyelid

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for vein

Rather than downing a handful of pills, I planned to take my life by opening a vein in each wrist.
Dear Leelah, We Will Fight On For You: A Letter to a Dead Trans Teen|Parker Molloy|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“There is such a vein of intelligence and deeply steeped expertise among them,” he says.
William, Kate, and Jay Z’s Favorite Art Star: Alexander Gilkes' World of Rock Stars and Royalty|Tim Teeman|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Whenever I look for a vein of sadness in Oliona it melts away.
Russia’s Gold Digger Academy|Peter Pomerantsev|November 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the decade following World War I, Hopper settled on a vein of imagery that has been his special glory ever since.
The Stacks: Edward Hopper’s X-Ray Vision|Hilton Kramer|October 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST

So in the vein of March Madness, here are my picks for the Final Four of the 2014 GOP championship of crazy.
How Long Can the Republicans Hide The Crazy?|Dean Obeidallah|September 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
No blood can pass through a vein that is closed by resistance, nor can it ever do it until resistance is suspended.
Philosophy of Osteopathy|Andrew T. Still
They knew what he meant, and that when Colonel Haywood spoke in that vein he was not to be taken lightly.
The Saddle Boys at Circle Ranch|James Carson
When a man feeleth himself infect, as soon as he may, let him be let blood plenteously till he swoon: then stop the vein.
A History of Epidemics in Britain (Volume I of II)|Charles Creighton
The vein in the fore-quarter ought to be bluish and firm; if yellow or green, it is very stale.
The Modern Housewife or, Menagere|Alexis Soyer
On examination after death, the termination of the vein on the surface of the stump was open, and in a sloughy condition.
On the origin of inflammation of the veins|Henry Lee

British Dictionary definitions for vein

vein

/ (veɪn) /

noun

any of the tubular vessels that convey oxygen-depleted blood to the heartCompare pulmonary vein, artery Related adjective: venous

any of the hollow branching tubes that form the supporting framework of an insect's wing

any of the vascular strands of a leaf

a clearly defined mass of ore, mineral, etc, filling a fault or fracture, often with a tabular or sheetlike shape

an irregular streak of colour or alien substance in marble, wood, or other material

a natural underground watercourse

a crack or fissure

a distinctive trait or quality in speech, writing, character, etc; straina vein of humour

a temporary disposition, attitude, or temper; moodthe debate entered a frivolous vein

Irish a parting in hair

verb (tr)

to diffuse over or cause to diffuse over in streaked patterns

to fill, furnish, or mark with or as if with veins

Derived forms of vein

veinal, adjectiveveinless, adjectiveveinlike, adjectiveveiny, adjective

Word Origin for vein

C13: from Old French veine, from Latin vēna

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

Medical definitions for vein

vein

[ vān ]

n.

Any of the branching blood vessels carrying blood toward the heart. All veins except the pulmonary vein carry dark unaerated blood.

v.

To supply or fill with veins.

Other words from vein

vein′al adj.

Scientific definitions for vein

vein

[ vān ]

Any of the blood vessels that carry blood toward the heart from the body's cells, tissues, and organs. Veins are thin-walled and contain valves that prevent the backflow of blood. All veins except the pulmonary vein carry blood with low levels of oxygen.

One of the narrow, usually branching tubes or supporting parts forming the framework of an insect's wing or a leaf. Veins in insect wings carry hemolymph and contain a nerve. Veins in leaves contain vascular tissue, with the xylem usually occurring on the upper side of the vein (bringing in water and nutrients) and the phloem on the lower side (carrying away food). See more at leaf venation.

A long, narrow deposit of mineral or rock that fills the void formed by a fracture or fault in another rock. The mineralogy of the host rock surrounding the vein is often altered where it is in contact with the vein because of chemical reactions between the two rock types.

Other words from vein

venous adjective (vē′nəs)

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