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veining

[vey-ning]
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noun
  1. the act or process of forming veins or an arrangement or marking resembling veins.
  2. a vein or a pattern of veins or markings suggesting veins.
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Origin of veining

First recorded in 1680–90; vein + -ing1

vein

[veyn]
noun
  1. one of the system of branching vessels or tubes conveying blood from various parts of the body to the heart.
  2. (loosely) any blood vessel.
  3. one of the riblike thickenings that form the framework of the wing of an insect.
  4. one of the strands or bundles of vascular tissue forming the principal framework of a leaf.
  5. any body or stratum of ore, coal, etc., clearly separated or defined: a rich vein of coal.
  6. a body or mass of igneous rock, deposited mineral, or the like occupying a crevice or fissure in rock; lode.
  7. a natural channel or watercourse beneath the surface of the earth.
  8. the water running through such a channel.
  9. a streak or marking, as of a different shade or color, running through marble, wood, etc.
  10. a condition, mood, or temper: a vein of pessimism.
  11. a tendency, quality, or strain traceable in character, conduct, writing, etc.; manner or style: to write in a poetic vein.
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verb (used with object)
  1. to furnish with veins.
  2. to mark with lines or streaks suggesting veins.
  3. to extend over or through in the manner of veins: Broad new highways vein the countryside.
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Origin of vein

1250–1300; Middle English veine < Old French < Latin vēna vein of the body, channel, ore deposit
Related formsvein·al, adjectivevein·less, adjectivevein·like, adjectivein·ter·vein, verb (used with object)in·ter·vein·al, adjectivesub·vein, nounun·veined, adjective
Can be confusedvain vane vein

Synonyms for vein

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com
11. tone, streak, touch, hint, thread.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for veining

smear, variegate, spot, daub, band, fleck, stripe, slash, dapple, marble, vein, striate, strake

Examples from the Web for veining

Historical Examples of veining

  • We choose our dinner not by the wrappers, but by the veining and gristle of the meat within.

    Pipefuls

    Christopher Morley

  • You might follow the veining of a leaf, for example, and work from vein to vein.

    Art in Needlework

    Lewis F. Day

  • In the leaf the floss is sewn down with split-stitch, which forms the veining.

    Art in Needlework

    Lewis F. Day

  • This is a useful tool for outlining a pattern or veining leaves.

    A Manual of Wood Carving

    Charles G. Leland

  • There is but few markings upon it and next to nothing in veining.

    Graining and Marbling

    Frederick Maire

British Dictionary definitions for veining

veining

noun
  1. a pattern or network of veins or streaks
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vein

noun
  1. any of the tubular vessels that convey oxygen-depleted blood to the heartCompare pulmonary vein, artery Related adjective: venous
  2. any of the hollow branching tubes that form the supporting framework of an insect's wing
  3. any of the vascular strands of a leaf
  4. a clearly defined mass of ore, mineral, etc, filling a fault or fracture, often with a tabular or sheetlike shape
  5. an irregular streak of colour or alien substance in marble, wood, or other material
  6. a natural underground watercourse
  7. a crack or fissure
  8. a distinctive trait or quality in speech, writing, character, etc; straina vein of humour
  9. a temporary disposition, attitude, or temper; moodthe debate entered a frivolous vein
  10. Irish a parting in hair
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verb (tr)
  1. to diffuse over or cause to diffuse over in streaked patterns
  2. to fill, furnish, or mark with or as if with veins
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Derived Formsveinal, 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

Word Origin and History for veining

vein

n.

c.1300, from Old French veine, from Latin vena "a blood vessel," also "a water course, a vein of metal, a person's natural ability or interest," of unknown origin. The mining sense is attested in English from late 14c. (Greek phleps "vein" had the same secondary sense). Figurative sense of "strain or intermixture" (of some quality) is recorded from 1560s; that of "a humor or mood, natural tendency" is first recorded 1570s.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
veining in Medicine

vein

(vān)
n.
  1. Any of the branching blood vessels carrying blood toward the heart. All veins except the pulmonary vein carry dark unaerated blood.
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v.
  1. To supply or fill with veins.
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Related formsvein′al adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
veining in Science

vein

[vān]
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
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Related formsvenous adjective (vē′nəs)
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.