valve

valve

noun \ˈvalv\

Definition of VALVE

1

archaic : a leaf of a folding or double door

2

[New Latin valva, from Latin] : a bodily structure (as the mitral valve) that closes temporarily a passage or orifice or permits movement of fluid in one direction only

3

a : any of numerous mechanical devices by which the flow of liquid, gas, or loose material in bulk may be started, stopped, or regulated by a movable part that opens, shuts, or partially obstructs one or more ports or passageways; also : the movable part of such a device

b : a device in a brass instrument for quickly channeling air flow through an added length of tube in order to change the fundamental tone by some definite interval

c chiefly British : electron tube

4

[New Latin valva, from Latin] : one of the distinct usually hinged and movable pieces of which the shell of some shell-bearing animals (as lamellibranch mollusks, brachiopods, and barnacles) consists

5

[New Latin valva, from Latin]

a : one of the segments or pieces into which a dehiscing capsule or legume separates

b : the portion of various anthers (as of the barberry) resembling a lid

c : one of the two encasing membranes of a diatom

— valved \ˈvalvd\ adjective

— valve·less \ˈvalv-ləs\ adjective

Examples of VALVE

1. They turned off the main water valve to the house.

Origin of VALVE

Latin valva; akin to Latin volvere to roll — more at voluble

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to VALVE

Synonyms

cock, gate, spigot, stopcock, tap, faucet

Related Words

hydrant, spout; petcock

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

Rhymes with VALVE

salve

valve

noun \ˈvalv\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of VALVE

1

: a bodily structure (as the mitral valve) that closes temporarily a passage or orifice or permits movement of fluid in one direction only

2

: any of various mechanical devices by which the flow of liquid (as blood) may be started, stopped, or regulated by a movable part that opens, shuts, or partially obstructs one or more ports or passageways; also : the movable part of such a device

Illustration of VALVE

valve

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

A globe valve controls the flow of a fluid through a pipe, inlet, or outlet. To stop the flow …—© Merriam-Webster Inc.

In mechanical engineering, a device for controlling the flow of fluids (liquids, gases, slurries) in a pipe or other enclosure. It exerts control by means of a movable element that opens, shuts, or partially blocks an opening in a passageway. Valves are of seven main types: globe, gate, needle, plug (cock), butterfly, poppet, and spool. Some valves operate automatically; check (or nonreturn) valves, for example, are self-acting valves that permit flow in only one direction. Safety valves open at a predetermined pressure; the movable element usually has a weighted lever or a spring strong enough to hold the valve closed until a particular pressure is reached.