velum

noun

ve·​lum ˈvē-ləm How to pronounce velum (audio)
plural vela ˈvē-lə How to pronounce velum (audio)
1
: a membrane or membranous part resembling a veil or curtain: such as
b
: an annular membrane projecting inward from the margin of the bell in some jellyfishes (such as the hydromedusae)
2
: a swimming organ that is especially well developed in the later larval stages of many marine gastropods

Examples of velum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The result is a visual feast featuring velum paneling, burled wood doors with brass inlay, jewel-like dressing rooms and two expansive en-suite marble bathrooms. Cynthia Rosenfeld Roxanne Fequiere Siska Lyssens Abigail Glasgow Tilly MacAlister-Smith Juan A. Ramírez, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin vēlum "awning, curtain"; in sense 1a short for New Latin vēlum palātī or vēlum palātīnum, literally, "curtain of the palate" — more at veil entry 1

First Known Use

1753, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of velum was in 1753

Dictionary Entries Near velum

Cite this Entry

“Velum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/velum. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

velum

noun
ve·​lum ˈvē-ləm How to pronounce velum (audio)
plural vela -lə How to pronounce velum (audio)
: a membrane or membranous part resembling a veil or curtain: as
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