Vela

4 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Velum \Ve"lum\, n.; pl. {Vela}. [L., an awning, a veil. See
     {Veil}.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. (Anat.) A curtain or covering; -- applied to various
        membranous partitions, especially to the soft palate. See
        under {Palate}.


        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Bot.)
        (a) See {Veil}, n., 3
        (b) .
        (b) A thin membrane surrounding the sporocarps of
            quillworts {Isoetes}).
            [1913 Webster]
  
     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}.
            [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  Vela
       n : a sails-shaped constellation in the southern hemisphere near
           Carina

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  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)]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  vela
       See {velum}