Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

1 ADJ [ADJ n] A veiled comment is expressed in a disguised form rather than directly and openly. □  He made only a veiled reference to international concerns over human rights issues. □  This last clause is a thinly-veiled threat to those who might choose to ignore the decree.

2 ADJ A woman or girl who is veiled is wearing a veil. □  A veiled woman gave me a kindly smile.

vein /ve I n/ (veins )

1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Your veins are the thin tubes in your body through which your blood flows towards your heart. Compare artery . □  Many veins are found just under the skin.

2 → see also varicose vein

3 N‑COUNT [usu sing, usu adj N ] Something that is written or spoken in a particular vein is written or spoken in that style or mood. □  It is one of his finest works in a lighter vein.

4 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A vein of a particular quality is evidence of that quality which someone often shows in their behaviour or work. □ [+ of ] This Spanish drama has a vein of black humour running through it.

5 N‑COUNT A vein of a particular metal or mineral is a layer of it lying in rock. □ [+ of ] …a rich and deep vein of limestone.

6 N‑COUNT The veins on a leaf are the thin lines on it. □ [+ of ] …the serrated edges and veins of the feathery leaves.

veined /ve I nd/

1 ADJ Veined skin has a lot of veins showing through it. □  Helen's hands were thin and veined.

2 ADJ Something that is veined has a pattern or colouring like that of veins showing through skin. □  …a bronze ashtray shaped like a veined leaf.

Vel|cro /ve lkroʊ/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Velcro is a material consisting of two strips of nylon fabric which you press together to close things such as pockets and bags. [TRADEMARK ]

veldt /ve lt, fe lt/ also veld N‑SING The veldt is a high area of flat grassy land with very few trees in southern Africa.

vel|lum /ve ləm/ N‑UNCOUNT Vellum is strong paper of good quality for writing on.

ve|loc|ity /v I lɒ s I ti/ (velocities ) N‑VAR Velocity is the speed at which something moves in a particular direction. [TECHNICAL ] □  …the velocities at which the stars orbit. □  …high velocity rifles.

ve|lour /vəlʊə ^r / N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Velour is a silk or cotton fabric similar to velvet. □  …a gold Mercedes with red velour seats.

vel|vet /ve lv I t/ (velvets ) N‑VAR [usu N n] Velvet is soft material made from cotton, silk, or nylon, which has a thick layer of short cut threads on one side. □  …a charcoal-gray overcoat with a velvet collar.

vel|vet|een /ve lv I tiː n/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Velveteen is a soft fabric which looks and feels like velvet and is sometimes used as a cheaper alternative to velvet. □  …a black velveteen coat. □  …loose blouses of bright-coloured velveteen.

vel|vety /ve lv I ti/ ADJ If you describe something as velvety , you mean that it is pleasantly soft to touch and has the appearance or quality of velvet. □  The grass grew thick and velvety.

ve|nal /viː n ^ə l/ ADJ If you describe someone as venal , you disapprove of them because they are prepared to do almost anything in return for money, even things which are dishonest or immoral. [DISAPPROVAL ] □  Government propaganda made the radicals appear at best deluded, at worst venal. □  …venal politicians.

ven|det|ta /vende tə/ (vendettas ) N‑VAR If one person has a vendetta against another, the first person wants revenge for something the second person did to them in the past. □ [+ against ] The vice president said the cartoonist has a personal vendetta against him.

vend|ing ma|chine /ve nd I ŋ məʃiːn/ (vending machines ) N‑COUNT A vending machine is a machine from which you can get things such as cigarettes, chocolate, or coffee by putting in money and pressing a button.

ven|dor /ve ndə ^r / (vendors )