having to do with certain structures of the body near the heart and main blood vessels
Word origin
hem- + -al
hemal in American English
(ˈhiməl)
adjective
1. Also: hematal
of or pertaining to the blood or blood vessels
2. Zoology
noting, pertaining to, or on the side of the body ventral to the spinal axis, containing the heart and principal blood vessels
Word origin
[1830–40; hem- + -al1]This word is first recorded in the period 1830–40. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: format, isomerism, orientation, paraffin, showcase