vein

[veyn] /veɪn/
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.
verb (used with object)
12.
to furnish with veins.
13.
to mark with lines or streaks suggesting veins.
14.
to extend over or through in the manner of veins:
Broad new highways vein the countryside.
Origin
1250-1300; Middle English veine < Old French < Latin vēna vein of the body, channel, ore deposit
Related forms
veinal, adjective
veinless, adjective
veinlike, adjective
intervein, verb (used with object)
interveinal, adjective
subvein, noun
unveined, adjective
Can be confused
vain, vane, vein.
Synonyms
11. tone, streak, touch, hint, thread.
Examples from the web for veins
  • Rex begonias are propagated by making cuts in the large veins on the underside of mature leaves.
  • If leaves turn yellow between veins, apply iron chelate.
  • As you roll out the dough, you should see veins of butter running through it.
  • Lastly, it was burned and dodged, and many imperfections in the veins of the leaves were removed.
  • They learn to use ultrasound to guide catheters through veins to administer medications or fluids.
  • If you do not want to heat, be sure and remove the seeds and veins of the peppers, as that's where the heat is found.
  • But the discontent runs in deeper, less logically grounded veins, too.
  • Countries with greenery in their veins are being asked to take more of the burden than newer members.
  • Unlike the xylem and phloem, the veins in a leaf cross-link and loop.
  • He is a non believer, but more importantly they share oil in their veins.
British Dictionary definitions for veins

vein

/veɪn/
noun
1.
any of the tubular vessels that convey oxygen-depleted blood to the heart Compare 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; strain: a vein of humour
9.
a temporary disposition, attitude, or temper; mood: the debate entered a frivolous vein
10.
(Irish) a parting in hair
verb (transitive)
11.
to diffuse over or cause to diffuse over in streaked patterns
12.
to fill, furnish, or mark with or as if with veins
Derived Forms
veinal, adjective
veinless, adjective
veinlike, adjective
veiny, adjective
Word Origin
C13: from Old French veine, from Latin vēna
Word Origin and History for veins

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.

veins 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.

  2. A blood vessel.

v. veined, vein·ing, veins
To supply or fill with veins.
vein'al adj.
veins 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.


venous adjective (vē'nəs)
veins in Culture

veins definition


Blood vessels that return blood from the body tissues to the heart. (Compare arteries; see circulatory system.)

Slang definitions & phrases for veins

vein

Related Terms

jab a vein