vein

[ veyn ]
/ veɪn /

noun

verb (used with object)

Origin of vein

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

SYNONYMS FOR vein

OTHER WORDS FROM vein

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH vein

vain vane vein

Example sentences from the Web for veins

British Dictionary definitions for veins

vein
/ (veɪn) /

noun

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, adjective veinless, adjective veinlike, adjective veiny, adjective

Word Origin for vein

C13: from Old French veine, from Latin vēna

Medical definitions for veins

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

veinal adj.

Scientific definitions for veins

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 (nəs)

Cultural definitions for veins

veins

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