velamen

(və lāmən)

noun pl. velamina

  1. Anat. a membrane or velum
  2. Bot. the corky outer layer of the aerial roots of certain orchids

Origin: L, a covering < velare, to cover: for IE base see veil

Related Forms:

See velamen in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. ve·lam·i·na (-lămˈə-nə)
  1. Anatomy A membranous covering or partition; velum.
  2. Botany The spongy, multiple epidermis that covers the aerial roots of epiphytic orchids and certain other plants and is capable of absorbing atmospheric moisture.

Origin:

Origin: Latin vēlāmen, covering

Origin: , from vēlāre, to cover

Origin: , from vēlum, a covering

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Related Forms:

  • velˌa·menˈtous (vĕlˌə-mĕnˈtəs) adjective

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