I. ˈvān 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 ˈvā-n ə l adjective
II. transitive verb
Date: 1502
: to pattern with or as if with veins