vein
/veɪn/ (bre, ipa) · /veɪn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈvān/ (ame, mw)
vein — noun
- veinsingular
- veinsplural
1. one of the tubes in your body that carries blood toward the heart.
one of the tubes in your body that carries blood toward the heart.
The nurse found a vein in Gabriel's arm and gently inserted the needle.
collocation: find a vein / insert a needle
Sayaka's hands were so cold that the veins on the back of them looked blue.
Doctors use an ultrasound scanner to examine the veins inside a patient's leg.
After the long run, David could see the veins standing out on his forearms.
The surgeon carefully tied off the damaged vein during the operation.
- blood vessel
the general term for any tube that carries blood, including veins, arteries, and capillaries
- vena
the formal medical term for a vein, used in anatomical contexts
- artery
carries oxygenated blood away from the heart, whereas a vein carries blood toward the heart
用法筆記
Commonly contrasted with 'artery': veins carry blood toward the heart, while arteries carry blood away from it. The phrase 'deep vein thrombosis' (DVT) is a common medical term. Blood for tests is usually taken from a vein, not an artery.
常見錯誤
2. one of the slender lines that form a branching pattern on a leaf blade or across
one of the slender lines that form a branching pattern on a leaf blade or across an insect's wing.
The veins of a maple leaf spread outward from the stem like tiny fingers.
collocation: veins of a leaf
Rania examined the delicate veins of the dragonfly's wing under a microscope.
technical vocabulary: insect wing veins
Lakan held the oak leaf to the window to study its branching veins.
The artist painted the fine veins of the butterfly wing with painstaking care.
用法筆記
In botany, the main vein is called the 'midrib' or 'primary vein.' In entomology, the pattern of wing veins is often used to identify insect species.
3. a deposit of valuable minerals, such as gold or silver, that occupies a narrow o
a deposit of valuable minerals, such as gold or silver, that occupies a narrow opening inside solid stone.
The miners discovered a rich vein of silver deep inside the mountain.
collocation: rich vein of [mineral]
Camila's grandfather spent years searching for a vein of gold in the nearby hills.
A thin vein of white quartz runs through the granite wall of the cave.
The geologist marked the location of the coal vein on her map for future mining.
用法筆記
In geology, 'vein' specifically refers to a mineral deposit that has filled a fracture or crack in the surrounding rock. The related term 'lode' means a larger, more extensive deposit.
4. an underlying quality or tendency that is a lasting part of someone's character
an underlying quality or tendency that is a lasting part of someone's character or the nature of something, rather than a temporary mood.
Saira's wedding speech had a warm vein of humour that kept everyone smiling.
collocation: a vein of humour
The editorial about the new policy had a strong vein of political criticism in every paragraph.
Antonia's farewell speech had a vein of sadness that moved the audience deeply.
A vein of stubbornness in Nikhil's character sometimes gets him into trouble.
用法筆記
This sense often uses the construction 'a vein of [quality]' to describe an underlying trait. It is similar to 'streak' or 'strain' — compare 'a stubborn streak' and 'a vein of stubbornness.'
5. a temporary mood, style, or manner of expression that applies to a particular pi
a temporary mood, style, or manner of expression that applies to a particular piece of writing, speech, or performance.
After the breakup, Reuben wrote several poems in a sad, reflective vein.
fixed phrase: in a ... vein
The comedian continued his jokes in the same light-hearted vein for an hour.
fixed phrase: in the same vein
During the job interview, the manager shifted to a more serious vein when discussing salary.
The band's latest album is in a completely different vein from their earlier rock sound.
用法筆記
Very common in the fixed expression 'in the same vein' (in the same style). Also used with descriptive adjectives: 'in a more serious vein,' 'in a similar vein,' 'in a lighter vein.'
常見錯誤
vein — verb
- veinpresent simple I / you / we / they
- veins3rd person singular
- veining-ing form
- veinedpast simple
1. to mark or cover a surface with thin lines or patterns that look like veins, esp
to mark or cover a surface with thin lines or patterns that look like veins, especially in stone, leaves, or skin.
The old marble floor was veined with delicate lines of grey and white.
passive: be veined with [pattern]
Thin cracks veined the surface of the ancient pottery like a spider web.
The leaves of this plant are veined with bright red, making them stand out.
Green streaks veined the white stone of the kitchen countertop.
文法句型
be veined with [something]
用法筆記
Almost always used in the passive voice ('was veined with') or as a past participle adjective ('veined marble'). The active form is very rare.