Vein \Vein\, n. [OE. veine, F. veine, L. vena.]
1. (Anat.) One of the vessels which carry blood, either
venous or arterial, to the heart. See Artery, 2.
2. (Bot.) One of the similar branches of the framework of a
leaf.
3. (Zo["o]l.) One of the ribs or nervures of the wings of
insects. See Venation.
4. (Geol. or Mining) A narrow mass of rock intersecting other
rocks, and filling inclined or vertical fissures not
corresponding with the stratification; a lode; a dike; --
often limited, in the language of miners, to a mineral
vein or lode, that is, to a vein which contains useful
minerals or ores.
5. A fissure, cleft, or cavity, as in the earth or other
substance. ``Down to the veins of earth.'' --Milton.
Let the glass of the prisms be free from veins.
--Sir I.
Newton.
6. A streak or wave of different color, appearing in wood,
and in marble and other stones; variegation.
7. A train of association, thoughts, emotions, or the like; a
current; a course.
He can open a vein of true and noble thinking.
--Swift.
8. Peculiar temper or temperament; tendency or turn of mind;
a particular disposition or cast of genius; humor; strain;
quality; also, manner of speech or action; as, a rich vein
of humor; a satirical vein. --Shak.
Certain discoursing wits which are of the same
veins. --Bacon.
Invoke the Muses, and improve my vein. --Waller.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
|