/ ˈvesl; NAmE / noun
1.
( formal ) a large ship or boat :
ocean-going vessels
2.
( old use or technical ) a container used for holding liquids, such as a bowl, cup, etc. :
a Bronze Age drinking vessel
3.
a tube that carries blood through the body of a person or an animal, or liquid through the parts of a plant
—see also blood vessel
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Anglo-Norman French vessel(e) , from late Latin vascellum , diminutive of vas vessel.