vein

Where does the word "vein" come from? It comes from Latin vena, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Vein’s story begins in Latin: vena meant “a blood vessel.” A blood vessel, especially one carrying blood toward the heart. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as veine. Carried into French anatomical vocabulary. It reached English by 1200s as vein. Settled as the English word for the blood vessels returning blood to the heart. Today, vein means a blood vessel that carries blood toward the heart.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient vena "a blood vessel", a blood vessel, especially one carrying blood toward the heart.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval veine "a blood vessel", carried into French anatomical vocabulary.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s vein "a blood vessel carrying blood toward the heart", settled as the English word for the blood vessels returning blood to the heart.