Vein

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. [1913 Webster]

2. (Bot.) One of the similar branches of the framework of a leaf. [1913 Webster]

3. (Zo["o]l.) One of the ribs or nervures of the wings of insects. See {Venation}. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

5. A fissure, cleft, or cavity, as in the earth or other substance. ``Down to the veins of earth.'' --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Let the glass of the prisms be free from veins. --Sir I. Newton. [1913 Webster]

6. A streak or wave of different color, appearing in wood, and in marble and other stones; variegation. [1913 Webster]

7. A train of association, thoughts, emotions, or the like; a current; a course. [1913 Webster]

He can open a vein of true and noble thinking. --Swift. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Certain discoursing wits which are of the same veins. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

Invoke the Muses, and improve my vein. --Waller. [1913 Webster]