a. [a. F. artérial (16th c.), mod. artériel: see ARTERY and -AL 1.]
1. Of, belonging to, or of the nature of, an artery. Arterial vein (obs.): the pulmonary artery.
1541. R. Copland, Guydon’s Quest. Chirurg. One parte called veyne arteryall goth to nourysshe the lunges.
1594. Carew, Huarte’s Exam. Wits, vi. (1616), 87. The naturall heat that is in the vitall spirits, and the arteriall bloud run forthwith to the head.
1680. Butler, Rem. (1759), I. 405. Examines the arterial Pulsation of its left Foreleg.
1743. trans. Heister’s Surg., 292. Diminished Resistance in the arterial coats.
1872. Huxley, Phys., iv. 75. The scarlet blood is commonly known as arterial.
2. Resembling an artery in having a main channel of communication with many branches. Arterial drainage: a system of drains ramifying like an artery. (Objection has been taken to this term on the ground that the flow through such a system of drains is in the opposite direction to that of the arterial system of the body, and really identical with the current in the veins.)
1831. Carlyle, Sart. Res., III. vii. Venous-arterial circulation of Letters.
1841. G. Deane (title), A plea for an Arterial Drainage.
1867. Morn. Star, 12 March. The Great Southern and Western Railway … a great arterial line.
