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valves - 3 dictionary results

valve

[valv] ,noun, verb, valved, valv⋅ing.
–noun
1. any device for halting or controlling the flow of a liquid, gas, or other material through a passage, pipe, inlet, outlet, etc.
2. a hinged lid or other movable part that closes or modifies the passage in such a device.
3. 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.
4. (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.
5. Zoology.
a. one of the two or more separable pieces composing certain shells.
b. either half of the silicified shell of a diatom.
6. Botany.
a. one of the segments into which a capsule dehisces.
b. a flap or lidlike part of certain anthers.
7. Electronics (chiefly British). vacuum tube (def. 1).
8. Archaic. one of the leaves of a double or folding door.
–verb (used with object)
9. to provide with a means of controlling the flow of liquid, gas, etc., by inserting a valve.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME < L valvae leaves of a door


valveless, adjective
valvelike, adjective
valve   (vālv)   


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n.  
  1. Anatomy A membranous structure in a hollow organ or passage, as in an artery or vein, that folds or closes to prevent the return flow of the body fluid passing through it.
    1. Any of various devices that regulate the flow of gases, liquids, or loose materials through piping or through apertures by opening, closing, or obstructing ports or passageways.
    2. The movable control element of such a device.
    3. Music A device in a brass wind instrument that permits change in pitch by a rapid varying of the air column in a tube.
    4. One of the paired, hinged shells of certain mollusks and of brachiopods.
    5. One of the two silicified halves of the cell wall of a diatom.
    6. The entire, one-piece shell of a snail and certain other mollusks.
    7. One of the sections into which the wall of a seedpod or other dehiscent fruit splits.
    8. A lidlike covering of an anther.
  2. Biology
    1. One of the paired, hinged shells of certain mollusks and of brachiopods.
    2. One of the two silicified halves of the cell wall of a diatom.
    3. The entire, one-piece shell of a snail and certain other mollusks.
    4. One of the sections into which the wall of a seedpod or other dehiscent fruit splits.
    5. A lidlike covering of an anther.
  3. Botany
    1. One of the sections into which the wall of a seedpod or other dehiscent fruit splits.
    2. A lidlike covering of an anther.
  4. Chiefly British An electron tube or a vacuum tube.
  5. Archaic Either half of a double or folding door.
tr.v.   valved, valv·ing, valves
  1. To provide with a valve.
  2. To control by means of a valve.

[Middle English, leaf of a door, from Latin valva; see wel-2 in Indo-European roots.]
valve'less adj.
valve   (vālv)  Pronunciation Key 
    1. Any of various mechanical devices that control the flow of liquids, gases, or loose material through pipes or channels by blocking and uncovering openings.
    2. The movable part or element of such a device.
  1. 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.
  2. One of the paired hinged shells of certain mollusks, such as clams and oysters.
  3. See electron tube.

Language Translation for : valves
Spanish: de guardia,
German: auf Abruf,
Japanese: 待機して
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