Velum - Dictionary Definition and Overview

Velum :  (noun)
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]

Based on WordNet 2.0

Veil \Veil\ (v[=a]l), n. [OE. veile, OF. veile, F. voile, L. Velum : a sail, covering, curtain, veil, probably fr. vehere to bear, carry, and thus originally, that which bears the ship on. See Vehicle, and cf. Reveal.] [Written also vail.] 1. Something hung up, or spread out, to intercept the view, and hide an object; a cover; a curtain; esp., a screen, usually of gauze, crape, or similar diaphnous material, to hide or protect the face.

The veil of the temple was rent in twain. --Matt. xxvii. 51.

She, as a veil down to the slender waist, Her unadorn['e]d golden tresses wore. --Milton.

2. A cover; disguise; a mask; a pretense.

[I will] pluck the borrowed veil of modesty from the so seeming Mistress Page. --Shak.

3. (Bot.) (a) The calyptra of mosses. (b) A membrane connecting the margin of the pileus of a mushroom with the stalk; -- called also velum.

4. (Eccl.) A covering for a person or thing; as, a nun's veil; a paten veil; an altar veil.

5. (Zo["o]l.) Same as Velum, 3.

To take the veil (Eccl.), to receive or be covered with, a veil, as a nun, in token of retirement from the world; to become a nun.

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

Velum : \Ve"lum\, n.; pl. Vela. [L., an awning, a veil. See Veil.] 1. (Anat.) 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. (Zo["o]l.) A veil-like organ or part. Especially: (a) The circular membrane that partially incloses the space beneath the umbrella of hydroid medus[ae]. (b) A delicate funnel-like membrane around the flagellum of certain Infusoria. See Illust. a of Protozoa.

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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