3. (Zoöl.) 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.
Vein, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Veined (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Veining.] To form
or mark with veins; to fill or cover with veins. Tennyson.