dictionary.pt

vein

nounmasculinetécnico/fiˈlɐ̃w̃/low

fi·lão

PortuguesEnglishEspanolFrancais

Definitions

1An elongated mineral deposit filling a crack or fault in the surrounding rock.
The miners discovered a rich gold vein.
The excavation followed the quartz vein for several hundred meters.
syn
lodeseam
Common collocations
mineral veingold veinto work a vein
Idiomatic expressions
  • to strike a rich vein
2Figuratively, an abundant source of something valuable or useful.
That topic is an inexhaustible vein for comedians.
The writer explored a new thematic vein in his latest work.
syn
minesource
Common collocations
thematic veinvein of inspiration

Etymology

Do francês 'filon', por sua vez do latim vulgar 'filo, -onis' (fio).