vela - definition, synonyms and pronunciation

Open English WordNet

Noun (1)

a constellation in the Southern Hemisphere between Carina and Pyxis“because of its configuration Vela is sometimes called ‘the Sails’”Instance of constellationPart of Argo Navis, Argo

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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

“vela” is listed under Velum.

Ve′lum noun; pl. Vela (#).

Origin: L., an awning, a veil. See Veil.

1. Anatomy A curtain or covering; — applied to various membranous partitions, especially to the soft palate. See under Palate.

2. Botany (a) See Veil, noun, 3 (b). (b) A thin membrane surrounding the sporocarps of quillworts Isoetes).

3. Zoology 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.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54