Category:Vein

Vein, n. Etym: [oe. veine, f. veine, l. vena.]

1. (anat.)

Defn: one of the vessels which carry blood, either venous or Arterial, to the heart. See artery, 2.

2. (bot.)

Defn: one of the similar branches of the framework of a leaf.

3. (zoöl.)

Defn: one of the ribs or nervures of the wings of insects. See Venation.

4. (geol. or mining)

Defn: a narrow mass of rock intersecting other rocks, and filling Inclined or vertical fissures not corresponding with the Stratification; a lode; a dike; -- often limited, in the language of Miners, to a mineral vein or lode, that is, to a vein which contains Useful minerals or ores.

5. A fissure, cleft, or cavity, as in the earth or other substance. "down to the veins of earth." Milton. Let the glass of the prisms be free from veins. Sir i. Newton.

6. A streak or wave of different color, appearing in wood, and in Marble and other stones; variegation.

7. A train of association, thoughts, emotions, or the like; a Current; a course. He can open a vein of true and noble thinking. Swift.

8. Peculiar temper or temperament; tendency or turn of mind; a Particular disposition or cast of genius; humor; strain; quality; Also, manner of speech or action; as, a rich vein of humor; a Satirical vein. Shak. Certain discoursing wits which are of the same veins. Bacon. Invoke the muses, and improve my vein. Waller.

Vein Vein, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Veined; p. pr. & vb. n. Veining.]

Defn: to form or mark with veins; to fill or cover with veins. Tennyson.