Vein

English Meaning

One of the vessels which carry blood, either venous or arterial, to the heart. See Artery, 2.

1. Anatomy Any of the membranous tubes that form a branching system and carry blood to the heart.
2. A blood vessel.
3. Botany One of the vascular bundles or ribs that form the branching framework of conducting and supporting tissues in a leaf or other expanded plant organ. Also called nervure.
4. Zoology One of the horny ribs that stiffen and support the wing of an insect. Also called nervure.
5. Geology A regularly shaped and lengthy occurrence of an ore; a lode.
6. A long wavy strip of a different shade or color, as in wood or marble, or as mold in cheese.
7. A fissure, crack, or cleft.
8. A pervading character or quality; a streak: "All through the interminable narrative there ran a vein of impressive earnestness” ( Mark Twain). See Synonyms at streak.
9. A transient attitude or mood.
10. A particular turn of mind: spoke later in a more serious vein.
11. To supply or fill with veins.
12. To mark or decorate with veins.