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 )
1 N‑COUNT A vendor is someone who sells things such as newspapers, cigarettes, or food from a small stall or cart. □ …ice-cream vendors.
2 N‑COUNT The vendor of a house or piece of land is the person who owns it and is selling it. [LEGAL ] □ Remember, the estate agent is working for the vendor.
ve|neer /v I n I ə r / (veneers )
1 N‑SING [adj N ] If you refer to the pleasant way that someone or something appears as a veneer , you are critical of them because you believe that their true, hidden nature is not good. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ of ] His super-clean image gave a veneer of respectability to the new professional set-up.
2 N‑VAR Veneer is a thin layer of wood or plastic which is used to improve the appearance of something. □ The wood was cut into large sheets of veneer.
ven|er|able /ve nərəb ə l/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A venerable person deserves respect because they are old and wise. □ …a venerable old man with white hair.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is venerable is impressive because it is old or important historically. □ May Day has become a venerable institution.
ven|er|ate /ve nəre I t/ (venerates , venerating , venerated ) VERB If you venerate someone or something, you value them or feel great respect for them. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] My father venerated General Eisenhower. ● ven|er|at|ed ADJ □ Jerusalem is Christianity's most venerated place. ● ven|era|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ Churchill was held in near veneration during his lifetime.
ve|nereal dis|ease /v I n I ə riəl d I ziː z/ (venereal diseases ) N‑VAR Venereal disease is used to refer to diseases such as syphilis and gonorrhoea which are passed on by sexual intercourse. The abbreviation VD is also used.
Ve|netian blind /vəniː ʃ ə n bla I nd/ (Venetian blinds ) N‑COUNT A Venetian blind is a window blind made of thin horizontal strips which can be adjusted to let in more or less light.
venge|ance /ve ndʒ ə ns/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Vengeance is the act of killing, injuring, or harming someone because they have harmed you. □ [+ on ] He swore vengeance on everyone involved in the murder.
2 PHRASE If you say that something happens with a vengeance , you are emphasizing that it happens to a much greater extent than was expected. [EMPHASIS ] □ It began to rain again with a vengeance.
venge|ful /ve ndʒfʊl/ ADJ If you describe someone as vengeful , you are critical of them because they feel a great desire for revenge. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The house is terrorised by vengeful ghosts.
veni|son /ve n I z ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Venison is the meat of a deer.