lacteal

1 of 2

adjective

lac·​te·​al ˈlak-tē-əl 

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

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 

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