Definition of velum
vela
play \ˈvē-lə\1 : a membrane or membranous part resembling a veil or curtain: such asa : soft palateb : an annular membrane projecting inward from the margin of the umbrella in some jellyfishes (such as the hydromedusae)
2 : a swimming organ that is especially well developed in the later larval stages of many marine gastropods
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Origin and Etymology of velum
borrowed from Latin vēlum “awning, curtain”; in sense 1a short for New Latin vēlum palātī or vēlum palātīnum, literally, “curtain of the palate” — more at 1veil
First Known Use: 1753
Medical Dictionary
velum
play
noun
ve·lum
\ˈvē-ləm\
Medical Definition of velum
vela
\-lə\play: a membrane or membranous part resembling a veil or curtain: asa: soft palateb: semilunar cusp
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