any of the tubes forming part of the blood circulation system of the body, carrying mainly oxygen-depleted blood towards the heart 静脉。 比较artery ■(in general and figurative use) a blood vessel (泛指,比喻)血管 he felt the adrenalin course through his veins. 他能感觉到全身血管中涌动着一股兴奋之情。 ■(in plants) a slender rib running through a leaf or bract, typically dividing or branching, and containing a vascular bundle (植物)叶脉 ■(in insects) a hardened branching rib that forms part of the supporting framework of a wing, consisting of an extension of the tracheal system; a nervure (昆虫)翅脉 ■a streak or stripe of a different colour in wood, marble, cheese, etc (木材、大理石、奶酪等)纹理,纹 ■a fracture in rock containing a deposit of minerals or ore and typically having an extensive course underground 矿脉 ■(figurative)a source of a specified quality or other abstract resource (喻)(特性或其他抽象物)起源;来源 he managed to tap into the thick vein of discontent to his own advantage. 他设法为一己之利利用激烈的不满情绪。
[in sing.]a distinctive quality, style, or tendency 特色,倾向,气质 he closes his article in a somewhat humorous vein. 他以多少有点幽默的语气结束了文章。