venation

[ vee-ney-shuhn, vuh- ]

noun

1. the arrangement of veins, as in a leaf or in the wing of an insect.
2. these veins collectively.

venation

/ viːˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the arrangement of the veins in a leaf or in the wing of an insect
2. such veins collectively

venation

/ vē-nā′shən /

1. The distribution or arrangement of a system of veins, as in an insect's wing or a leaf blade. Patterns of venation in insect wings are often used to identify and differentiate species. In angiosperm plants, the venation of eudicot and magnoliid leaves is generally netted or reticulate , with smaller veins branching out from larger ones in a pinnate or palmate pattern, while that of monocots is parallel , with many veins of similar size running parallel to each other along the length of the plant part. These parallel veins are connected to each other by much smaller cross veins.
2. The veins of such a system considered as a group.

Derived Forms

• veˈnational, adjective

Other Words From

• ve·nation·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of venation¹

1640–50; < Latin vēn ( a ) vein + -ation

Example Sentences

In simple venation patterns, one unfortunately placed air bubble could block up to 95% of the venation network, preventing water from flowing through the leaf.

From Science Magazine

This Angiosperm Terrestrial Revolution was in part driven by a unique innovation in angiosperm leaves: these present a netted hierarchical venation, which allows angiosperm to fix carbon dioxide in a much more efficient way.

From Science Daily

Even the assignment to the subfamily Larentiinae is not entirely secure and is based on a few features like wing venation.

From Science Daily

The copperplate lines are so exact they mimic the individual venation of feathers; the neck of a gyrfalcon takes on all the ripply realism of moiréd silk.

From New York Times

What was once just something we called elephant ears is now a high-falutin cultivar of alocasia or colocasia, truly stunning in size, leaf venation and sheer presence.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• hair
• lode
• nerve
• seam
• stripe