ar|ter|y

ar|ter|y «AHR tuhr ee», noun, plural -ter|ies, verb, -ter|ied, -tery|ing.

–n.

1. any of the blood vessels or tubes that carry blood from the heart to all parts of the body. Arteries are membranous, elastic, and muscular and form part of the system of blood vessels.

2. a main road; important channel: »

Oceans serve as the main arteries of transportation between continents (Ernest W. Williams, Jr.).

SYNONYM(S): highway, thoroughfare.

–v.t.

1. to supply with arteries.

2. to traverse like arteries: »

Great rivers arteried every state (Lucy L. Cameron).

╂[< Latin artēria < Greek artēríā artery, windpipe (since the arteries do not contain any blood after death, some of the ancients regarded them as air ducts, branching from the trachea)]