3 entries found for valve.
To select an entry, click on it. Main Entry: valve
Pronunciation:
valvFunction: noun
1 : a bodily structure (as in a vein or the heart) that closes temporarily to prevent passage of material or that allows movement of a fluid in one direction only
2 a : a mechanical device by which the flow of liquid, gas, or loose material in bulk may be controlled by a movable part; also : the movable part of such a device b : a device in a brass musical instrument for quickly changing the tube length in order to make the tone higher or lower
3 : one of the separate pieces that make up the shell of some animals (as clams) and are often hinged
4 : one of the pieces into which a ripe seed capsule or pod separates
- valved
/valvd/ adjective
[valve illustration]
Pronunciation Symbols