velum

[ vee-luhm ]

noun

, plural ve·la [vee, -l, uh], ve·lum

1. Biology. any of various veillike or curtainlike membranous partitions.
2. Anatomy. the soft palate. palate1
3. Meteorology. a thin cloud, large in horizontal area, that is draped over or penetrated by cumuliform clouds.

velum

/ ˈviːləm /

noun

1. 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
2. anatomy any of various veil-like bodily structures, esp the soft palate
3. botany another word for veil

Word History and Origins

Origin of velum¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of velum¹

C18: from Latin: veil

Example Sentences

After a little while try to move the velum, closing and opening the nose passage, without uttering a sound and without breathing.

From Project Gutenberg

Still watching your mouth, inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth; see how the velum moves as you do this.

From Project Gutenberg

Also called velar (from velum, for which see § 8) and more usually, but less accurately, guttural.

From Project Gutenberg

Bok also signifies acupictile, vel acupictum (velum, auloeum).

From Project Gutenberg

Foot divided into two, posterior half bearing the operculum; a wide epipodial velum; shell turbinated.

From Project Gutenberg