vein

[ veyn ]

noun

1. one of the system of branching vessels or tubes conveying blood from various parts of the body to the heart.
2. (loosely) any blood vessel.
3. one of the riblike thickenings that form the framework of the wing of an insect.
4. one of the strands or bundles of vascular tissue forming the principal framework of a leaf.
5. any body or stratum of ore, coal, etc., clearly separated or defined:

   a rich vein of coal.

6. a body or mass of igneous rock, deposited mineral, or the like occupying a crevice or fissure in rock; lode.
7. a natural channel or watercourse beneath the surface of the earth.
8. the water running through such a channel.
9. a streak or marking, as of a different shade or color, running through marble, wood, etc.
10. a condition, mood, or temper:

    a vein of pessimism.

11. a tendency, quality, or strain traceable in character, conduct, writing, etc.; manner or style:

    to write in a poetic vein.

    Synonyms: thread, hint, touch, streak, tone

verb (used with object)

1. to furnish with veins.
2. to mark with lines or streaks suggesting veins.
3. to extend over or through in the manner of veins:

   Broad new highways vein the countryside.

vein

/ veɪn /

noun

1. any of the tubular vessels that convey oxygen-depleted blood to the heart Compare pulmonary vein artery venous
2. any of the hollow branching tubes that form the supporting framework of an insect's wing
3. any of the vascular strands of a leaf
4. a clearly defined mass of ore, mineral, etc, filling a fault or fracture, often with a tabular or sheetlike shape
5. an irregular streak of colour or alien substance in marble, wood, or other material
6. a natural underground watercourse
7. a crack or fissure
8. a distinctive trait or quality in speech, writing, character, etc; strain

   a vein of humour

9. a temporary disposition, attitude, or temper; mood

   the debate entered a frivolous vein

10. a parting in hair

verb

1. to diffuse over or cause to diffuse over in streaked patterns
2. to fill, furnish, or mark with or as if with veins

vein

/ vān /

1. Any of the blood vessels that carry blood toward the heart from the body's cells, tissues, and organs. Veins are thin-walled and contain valves that prevent the backflow of blood. All veins except the pulmonary vein carry blood with low levels of oxygen.
2. One of the narrow, usually branching tubes or supporting parts forming the framework of an insect's wing or a leaf. Veins in insect wings carry hemolymph and contain a nerve. Veins in leaves contain vascular tissue, with the xylem usually occurring on the upper side of the vein (bringing in water and nutrients) and the phloem on the lower side (carrying away food).
3. See more at leaf
4. A long, narrow deposit of mineral or rock that fills the void formed by a fracture or fault in another rock. The mineralogy of the host rock surrounding the vein is often altered where it is in contact with the vein because of chemical reactions between the two rock types.

Derived Forms

• ˈveinless, adjective
• ˈveinal, adjective
• ˈveiny, adjective
• ˈveinˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• veinal adjective
• veinless adjective
• veinlike adjective
• inter·vein verb (used with object)
• inter·veinal adjective
• subvein noun
• un·veined adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vein¹

1250–1300; Middle English veine < Old French < Latin vēna vein of the body, channel, ore deposit

Word History and Origins

Origin of vein¹

C13: from Old French veine, from Latin vēna

Example Sentences

Each had to have lines inserted into a vein to deliver nutrients to keep them alive.

From BBC

Continuing in this vein, the researchers are currently working to directly analyze current food trade patterns and the subsequent environmental pressures traded with it, with no diet shifts.

From Science Daily

Vascular services diagnose and treat people for problems with arteries, veins or circulation, and are often used by patients who have other health issues, such as diabetes.

From BBC

In a similar vein, lawyers for Anzorov’s friends – actual and online – will say they had no notion he planned a killing.

From BBC

“Labour in its veins,” says a cabinet minister.

From BBC

Related Words

• hair
• lode
• nerve
• seam
• stripe