velum
/ˈviːləm/
noun
- The soft palate at the back of the roof of the mouth, which helps with swallowing and speech.
- Speech therapists work on velum movement to improve certain sounds.
- A cold can cause the velum to swell, making it hard to speak clearly.
- The velum lifts to close off the nasal passage when you swallow.
- A thin, membrane-like structure in some animals or plants, such as the bell of a jellyfish or a protective layer in mosses.
- The jellyfish's velum helps it move through the water.
- Biologists studied the velum of the sea creature to understand its swimming mechanics.
- Under the microscope, the velum of the moss appeared delicate and translucent.
Synonyms