■ noun
1》 any of the tubes forming part of the circulation system by which blood is conveyed from all parts of the body towards the heart.
↘(in general use) a blood vessel.
2》 (in plants) a slender rib running through a leaf, typically dividing or branching, and containing vascular tissue.
↘(in insects) a hollow rib forming part of the supporting framework of a wing.
3》 a streak or stripe of a different colour in wood, marble, cheese, etc.
↘a fracture in rock containing a deposit of minerals or ore.
↘a source of a specified quality: he has tapped a national ~ of anger.
4》 a distinctive quality, style, or tendency: he closes his article in a humorous ~.
Derivatives
~ed adjective
~ing noun
~less adjective
~let noun
~-like adjective
~y adjective
Origin
ME: from OFr. ~e , from L. vena .