ar|te|ri|al

ar|te|ri|al «ahr TIHR ee uhl», adjective.

1. of an artery or the arteries: »

hardening of the arterial walls.

2. contained in the arteries. Arterial blood is bright red because it has been purified and oxygenated by passing through the lungs.

3. serving as a major route of transportation, supply, or access: »

Many large arterial highways join the nation's cities.

4. having a main channel with many branches.

–ar|ter´i|al|ly, adverb.