DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan
vela
帆
Ve·lum n.; pl. Vela
1. Anat. A curtain or covering; -- applied to various membranous partitions, especially to the soft palate. See under Palate.
2. Bot. (a) See Veil, n., 3 (b). (b) A thin membrane surrounding the sporocarps of quillworts Isoetes).
3. Zool. A veil-like organ or part. Especially: (a) The circular membrane that partially incloses the space beneath the umbrella of hydroid medusae. (b) A delicate funnel-like membrane around the flagellum of certain Infusoria. See Illust. a of Protozoa.
◄ ►
Vela
n : a sails-shaped constellation in the southern hemisphere near
Carina
velum
n 1: membrane of the young sporophore of various mushrooms
extending from the margin of the cap to the stem and is
ruptured by growth; represented in mature mushroom by an
annulus around the stem and sometimes a cortina on the
margin of the cap [syn: partial veil]
2: membrane initially completely investing the young sporophore
of various mushrooms that is ruptured by growth;
represented in the mature mushroom by a volva around lower
part of stem and scales on upper surface of the cap [syn:
universal veil]
3: a muscular flap that closes off the nasopharynx during
swallowing or speaking [syn: soft palate]
[also: vela (pl)]