veɪn n. & v. --n. 1 a
any of
the tubes by
which blood is conveyed to the
heart (cf. ARTERY). b (in
general use) any blood-vessel (has
royal blood in
his veins). 2 a
nervure of an insect's
wing. 3 a
slender bundle of
tissue forming a
rib in the
framework of a
leaf. 4 a
streak or
stripe of a
different colour in
wood,
marble, cheese, etc. 5 a
fissure in rock filled
with ore or
other deposited
material. 6 a
source of a
particular characteristic (a
rich vein of humour). 7 a
distinctive character or
tendency; a
cast of
mind or
disposition; a mood (spoke in a sarcastic vein). --v.tr.
fill or
cover with or as with veins. øøveinless n. veinlet n. veinlike adj. veiny adj. (veinier, veiniest). [ME f. OF veine f. L vena]