from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Velum \Ve"lum\, n.; pl. {Vela}. [L., an awning, a veil. See
{Veil}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. (Anat.) A curtain or covering; -- applied to various
membranous partitions, especially to the soft palate. See
under {Palate}.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Bot.)
(a) See {Veil}, n., 3
(b) .
(b) A thin membrane surrounding the sporocarps of
quillworts {Isoetes}).
[1913 Webster]
3. (Zool.) 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}.
[1913 Webster]