Pronunciation: ˌ v ē -n ə - ' k ā -v ə
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural ve · nae ca · vae \ -( ˌ )n ē - ' k ā -( ˌ )v ē \
Etymology: New Latin, literally, hollow vein
Date: 1598
: any of the large veins by which in air-breathing vertebrates the blood is returned to the right atrium of the heart
– vena ca · val \ -v ə l \ adjective