Main Entry:

¹vein

Pronunciation:

\ˈvān\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English veine, from Anglo-French, from Latin vena

Date:

14th century

1 a: a narrow water channel in rock or earth or in ice b (1): lode 2 (2): a bed of useful mineral matter c: lode 32: blood vessel ; especially : any of the tubular branching vessels that carry blood from the capillaries toward the heart3 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 insect4: something suggesting veins (as in reticulation) ; specifically : a wavy variegation (as in marble)5 a: a distinctive mode of expression : style <stories in a romantic vein> b: a distinctive element or quality : strain <introduced a welcome vein of humor> c: a line of thought or action6 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-n^əl\ adjective