First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1vein
noun \ˈvān\
: any one of the tubes that carry blood from parts of the body back to the heart
: any one of the thin lines that can be seen on the surface of a leaf or on the wing of an insect
: a long, narrow opening in rock filled with gold, silver, etc.
Full Definition of VEIN
1
2
: blood vessel; especially : any of the tubular branching vessels that carry blood from the capillaries toward the heart
3
a : any of the vascular bundles forming the framework of a leaf b : any of the thickened cuticular ribs that serve to stiffen the wings of an insect
4
: something suggesting veins (as in reticulation); specifically : a wavy variegation (as in marble)
5
6
a : a special aptitude <inherited an artistic vein> b : a usually transitory and casually attained mood c : top form <thou troublest me; I am not in the vein — Shakespeare>
— vein·al \ˈvā-nəl\ adjective
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Origin of VEIN
Middle English veine, from Anglo-French, from Latin vena
Other Anatomy Terms
Rhymes with VEIN
ain, Aisne, ane, Bain, bane, blain, brain, cane, chain, crane, deign, drain, fain, fane, feign, gain, grain, Kane, lane, Lane, main, mane, pain, Paine, pane, plain, plane, quean, rain, reign, rein, sain, sane, seine, Seine, skein, Spain, sprain, stain, strain, swain, thane, thegn, train, twain, Twain, vain, vane, wain, wane, Wayne
2vein
verb
VEIN[1] Defined for Kids
vein
noun \ˈvān\
Definition of VEIN for Kids
1
: one of the blood vessels that carry the blood back to the heart
2
: a long narrow opening in rock filled with a specific mineral <a vein of gold>
3
: a streak of different color or texture (as in marble)
4
: a style of expression <I continued in a more serious vein. — Gail Carson Levine, Ella Enchanted>
5
: one of the bundles of fine tubes that make up the framework of a leaf and carry food, water, and nutrients in the plant
6
: one of the slender parts that stiffen and support the wing of an insect
— veined \ˈvānd\ adjective
Medical Dictionary
vein
noun \ˈvān\
Medical Definition of VEIN
: any of the tubular branching vessels that carry blood from the capillaries toward the heart and have thinner walls than the arteries and often valves at intervals to prevent reflux of the blood which flows in a steady stream and is in most cases dark-colored due to the presence of reduced hemoglobin
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