capillary vein
- noun
- /ˈkæpɪˌlɛri veɪn/
- Specialized
- Oxygen-depleted blood passes from the capillaries into the capillary vein before reaching larger veins.
Examples
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The capillary vein connects the capillaries to larger veins.
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The researchers observed the dilation of each capillary vein under the microscope.
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A blockage in a capillary vein can disrupt blood flow at a very local level.
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Do you know what a capillary vein does?
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Oxygen-depleted blood passes from the capillaries into the capillary vein before reaching larger veins.
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A blockage in a capillary vein can disrupt blood flow at a very local level.
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The researchers observed the dilation of each capillary vein under the microscope.
Synonyms
A very small vein that collects blood from capillaries
A very small vein that takes blood from tiny blood vessels and joins others
A very thin line in things such as leaves, rocks, or the body that holds another material
How Small
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'capillary' (a minute blood vessel) combined with 'vein' (a vessel returning blood) yields a small vein continuous with capillaries. This is a regular technical noun compound following standard English compounding and similar formations in other languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the meaning.
Etymology
Capillary vein combines capillary (a hair-thin tube) and vein (a blood vessel). The image of a hair-thin tube joining a vein helps you remember it means 'a very small vein that connects capillaries to bigger veins'.