Search Result for "vela": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (1)

1. a constellation in the southern hemisphere between Carina and Pyxis;
- Example: "because of its configuration Vela is sometimes called `the Sails'"


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]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

Vela n 1: a constellation in the southern hemisphere between Carina and Pyxis; "because of its configuration Vela is sometimes called `the Sails'"