velamen

[ vuh-ley-min ]

noun

, plural ve·lam·i·na [v, uh, -, lam, -, uh, -n, uh].

1. Anatomy. a membranous covering; velum.
2. Botany. the thick, spongy integument or epidermis covering the aerial roots of epiphytic orchids.

velamen

/ vəˈleɪmɛn /

noun

1. the thick layer of dead cells that covers the aerial roots of certain orchids and aroids and absorbs moisture from the surroundings
2. anatomy another word for velum

Word History and Origins

Origin of velamen¹

1880–85; < Latin vēlāmen, equivalent to vēlā ( re ) to cover + -men noun suffix of result

Word History and Origins

Origin of velamen¹

C19: from Latin: a veil, from vēlāre to cover

Example Sentences

These aerial roots develop the velamen radicum, a spongy epidermis that traps the nutrient-rich flush during rainfall, representing an important adaptation of epiphytic orchids23, 24, 25.

From Nature

As the barber, who was the most jealous of any sign of favour from the Cæsar, could find no fault with the velamen, he vented his anger upon Manlius' face.

From Project Gutenberg

It is sufficient to prove the fact that Erasmus did intervene, and commend to his Scottish friends a writer who represents Luther's translation of the New Testament, which more than any other book has made Germany what it is, as the "pabulum mortis, fomes peccati, velamen malitiae, praetextus falsae libertatis, inobedientiae praesidium, disciplinae corruptio, morum depravatio, concordiae dissipatio ... vitiorum scaturigo ... rebellionis incendium ... charitatis peremptio ... veritatis perduellio."

From Project Gutenberg

In de Corona militis, 4, after instancing Rebecca, he goes on to say of Susanna: "si et Susanna in iudicio revelata argumentum velandi præstat, possum dicere: et his velamen arbitrii fuit," etc.

From Project Gutenberg

Purple was the favorite color for this velamen, or veil; because, when the sun shone through it, it cast such beautiful rosy tints on the snowy arena and the white purple-edged togas of the Roman citizens.

From Project Gutenberg