velum

[ vee-luh m ]
/ ˈvi ləm /

noun, plural ve·la [vee-luh] /ˈvi lə/, for 1, 2, ve·lum for 3.

Biology. any of various veillike or curtainlike membranous partitions.
Anatomy. the soft palate. See under palate(def 1).
Meteorology. a thin cloud, large in horizontal area, that is draped over or penetrated by cumuliform clouds.

Origin of velum

First recorded in 1765–75, velum is from the Latin word vēlum sail, covering

Example sentences from the Web for velum

British Dictionary definitions for velum

velum
/ (ˈviːləm) /

noun plural -la (-lə)

zoology any of various membranous structures, such as the ciliated oral membrane of certain mollusc larvae or the veil-like membrane running around the rim of a jellyfish
anatomy any of various veil-like bodily structures, esp the soft palate
botany another word for veil (def. 6)

Word Origin for velum

C18: from Latin: veil

Medical definitions for velum

velum
[ vēləm ]

n. pl. ve•la (-lə)

An anatomical structure resembling a veil or curtain. veil velamen
greater omentum
A serous membrane or membranous envelope or covering.