n.
Pronunciation: ' v ā n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English veine, from Anglo-French, from Latin vena
Date: 14th century
1 a : a narrow water channel in rock or earth or in ice b (1) : LODE 2 (2) : a bed of useful mineral matter c : LODE 3
2 : BLOOD VESSEL especially : any of the tubular branching vessels that carry blood from the capillaries toward the heart
3 a : any of the vascular bundles forming the framework of a leaf b : any of the thickened cuticular ribs that serve to stiffen the wings of an insect
4 : something suggesting veins (as in reticulation) specifically : a wavy variegation (as in marble)
5 a : a distinctive mode of expression : STYLE <stories in a romantic vein > b : a distinctive element or quality : STRAIN <introduced a welcome vein of humor> c : a line of thought or action <renewed discussion along the same vein >
6 a : a special aptitude <inherited an artistic vein > b : a usually transitory and casually attained mood c : top form <thou troublest me; I am not in the vein ― Shakespeare>
– vein · al \ ' v ā -n ə l \ adjective