Meaning & use
midvein
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Meaning
nouncountabletechnicalbiology
The central vein of a leaf, running from the base to the tip.
Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a midvein' or 'the midveins'.
Patterns
- the midvein of a leaf
- along the midvein
The midvein is often thicker than the other veins in the leaf.
You can see the midvein clearly on the underside of the leaf.
The disease first appears as spots along the midvein.
Word forms
| plural | midveins |
|---|
Common combinations
- the midvein of a leaf
- The midvein of a leaf carries water and nutrients.
- along the midvein
- The yellow spots spread along the midvein.
- the midvein runs
- The midvein runs from the base to the tip of the leaf.
Synonyms and how they differ
- midrib
- Midrib is the more common technical term for the same structure; midvein is used especially when contrasting it with smaller veins.
- central vein
- Central vein is a plain description; midvein is the precise botanical term.
Commonly confused: midvein or midrib?
midvein vs midrib
Midrib and midvein mean the same thing, but midrib is the preferred term in many botany textbooks.
Practice
In a leaf, the midvein is the main vein that runs ____.
Choose one answer.
The midvein is the central vein that goes lengthwise from the base to the tip. The other options describe other parts or directions, not the midvein's path.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “midvein”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.