| 1. | Also called lamellibranch. Zoology. any mollusk, as the oyster, clam, scallop, or mussel, of the class Bivalvia, having two shells hinged together, a soft body, and lamellate gills. |
| 2. | Botany. having two valves, as a seedcase. |
| 3. | Zoology. having two shells, usually united by a hinge. |
| 4. | having two similar parts hinged together. |
| bivalve (bī'vālv') Pronunciation Key
Any of various mollusks of the class Bivalvia, having a shell consisting of two halves hinged together. Clams, oysters, scallops, and mussels are bivalves. The class Bivalvia is also called Pelecypoda, and was formerly called Lamellibranchia. Compare univalve. |