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valve
[ valv ]
noun
- any device for halting or controlling the flow of a liquid, gas, or other material through a passage, pipe, inlet, outlet, etc.
- a hinged lid or other movable part that closes or modifies the passage in such a device.
- Anatomy. a membranous fold or other structure that controls the flow of a fluid, as one that permits blood to flow in one direction only.
- (in musical wind instruments of the trumpet class) a device for changing the length of the air column to alter the pitch of a tone.
- Zoology.
- one of the two or more separable pieces composing certain shells.
- either half of the silicified shell of a diatom.
- Botany.
- one of the segments into which a capsule dehisces.
- a flap or lidlike part of certain anthers.
- Electronics (chiefly British). vacuum tube ( def 1 ).
- Archaic. one of the leaves of a double or folding door.
verb (used with object)
- to provide with a means of controlling the flow of liquid, gas, etc., by inserting a valve.
valve
/ vælv /
noun
- any device that shuts off, starts, regulates, or controls the flow of a fluid
- anatomy a flaplike structure in a hollow organ, such as the heart, that controls the one-way passage of fluid through that organ
- Also calledtubevacuum tube an evacuated electron tube containing a cathode, anode, and, usually, one or more additional control electrodes. When a positive potential is applied to the anode, electrons emitted from the cathode are attracted to the anode, constituting a flow of current which can be controlled by a voltage applied to the grid to produce amplification, oscillation, etc See also diode triode tetrode pentode
- zoology any of the separable pieces that make up the shell of a mollusc
- music a device on some brass instruments by which the effective length of the tube may be varied to enable a chromatic scale to be produced
- botany
- any of the several parts that make up a dry dehiscent fruit, esp a capsule
- either of the two halves of a diatom cell wall
- archaic.a leaf of a double door or of a folding door
valve
/ vălv /
- Any of various mechanical devices that control the flow of liquids, gases, or loose material through pipes or channels by blocking and uncovering openings.
- The movable part or element of such a device.
- Any of various structures that prevent the backward flow of a body fluid, such as blood or lymph. Valves in the heart, veins, and lymphatic vessels contain flaps (known as cusps) that close in response to pressure created by the backflow of fluid.
- One of the paired hinged shells of certain mollusks, such as clams and oysters.
- See electron tube
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Derived Forms
- ˈvalveless, adjective
- ˈvalveˌlike, adjective
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Other Words From
- valveless adjective
- valvelike adjective
- under·valve noun
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Word History and Origins
Origin of valve1
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Word History and Origins
Origin of valve1
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Example Sentences
It is more in the shutting off of the valve that you are inclined to struggle.
These days, the bags usually have valves on them to prevent dust escaping, and when the bag is full, it’s relatively easy and mess-free to dispose of the entire bag and its dusty contents.
Air also exits through a valve located elsewhere on the hood.
I have now found the irrigation line for that half of the house, confirmed it by turning the valve off, and also went into the crawl space to confirm it’s using soft water.
Some valved masks do have filters between the valve and the outside world, he says, which would reduce or prevent the spread of the virus.
Such and such a time, such and such a day, then trouble with the valve.
The flawed valve was rapidly replaced by a more robust system.
This safety valve allows citizens to sound the alarm and challenge those whose views are hateful and totalitarian.
[W] thout an exchange-rate safety valve you need an alternate way to rebalance economies.
He also might have a heart-valve problem, but recovery from repair of these generally takes longer than a few days.
A feed-pump forced water into the boilers; each had a safety-valve with a lever and weight.
The valve-seat H has formed on its lower surface two crescent shaped long and narrow slits.
The discharge-valve was then opened for a moment, allowing a blast of steam to escape, reducing the pressure say to one-half.
The valve open while the plunger-pole ascended 20 inches, then went the remainder of the 10-feet stroke expansive.
The engine boy having fixed the safety-valve while he fished for eels, caused an explosion of the boiler.
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