lacteal

[ lak-tee-uhl ]

adjective

1. pertaining to, consisting of, or resembling milk; milky.
2. Anatomy. conveying or containing chyle.

noun

1. Anatomy. any of the minute lymphatic vessels that convey chyle from the small intestine to the thoracic duct.

lacteal

/ ˈlæktɪəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling milk
2. (of lymphatic vessels) conveying or containing chyle

noun

1. any of the lymphatic vessels conveying chyle from the small intestine to the thoracic duct

Derived Forms

• ˈlacteally, adverb

Other Words From

• lacte·al·ly adverb
• non·lacte·al adjective
• non·lacte·al·ly adverb
• pre·lacte·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lacteal¹

1625–35; < Latin lacte ( us ) milky ( lacteous ) + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of lacteal¹

C17: from Latin lacteus of milk, from lac milk

Example Sentences

Human milk is sterile when secreted, but derives a few bacteria from the lacteal ducts.

From Project Gutenberg

Make an incision in its bark, wherever you will, and it exudes a white lacteal fluid, which hardens on exposure to the air.

From Project Gutenberg

The general public subscribes to Mudie, and has its intellectual, like its lacteal sustenance, sent round to it in carts.

From Project Gutenberg

I took a seven-year course in the gentle art of acquiring the lacteal fluid.

From Project Gutenberg

And there isn't anything I like better when camping out than plenty of hen fruit, together with the lacteal fluid from the cows.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• frosted
• opaque
• pearly