/ ˈɑːtəri; NAmE ˈɑːrt-/ noun ( pl. -ies )
1.
any of the tubes that carry blood from the heart to other parts of the body :
blocked arteries
—compare vein
—see also coronary artery
2.
a large and important road, river, railway / railroad line, etc.
► ar·ter·ial / ɑːˈtɪəriəl; NAmE ɑːrˈtɪr-/ adjective [ only before noun ]:
arterial blood / disease
an arterial road
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin arteria , from Greek artēria , probably from airein raise.