lacteal

1 of 2

adjective

lac·​te·​al ˈlak-tē-əl How to pronounce lacteal (audio)
1
: relating to, consisting of, producing, or resembling milk
2
a
: conveying or containing a milky fluid
b
: of or relating to the lacteals

lacteal

2 of 2

noun

: any of the lymphatic vessels arising from the villi of the small intestine and conveying chyle to the thoracic duct

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin lacteus of milk, from lact-, lac

First Known Use

Adjective

1633, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1680, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lacteal was in 1633

Dictionary Entries Near lacteal

Cite this Entry

“Lacteal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lacteal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

lacteal

noun
lac·​te·​al
ˈlak-tē-əl
: one of the lymphatic vessels that begin in the villi of the small intestine and carry chyle

Medical Definition

lacteal

1 of 2 adjective
lac·​te·​al ˈlak-tē-əl How to pronounce lacteal (audio)
1
: relating to, consisting of, producing, or resembling milk
lacteal fluid
2
a
: conveying or containing a milky fluid (as chyle)
a lacteal channel
b
: of or relating to the lacteals
impaired lacteal function

lacteal

2 of 2 noun
: any of the lymphatic vessels arising from the villi of the small intestine and conveying chyle to the thoracic duct

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