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valve
- pronunciation:
- vaelv
- parts of speech:
- noun, transitive verb
- features:
- Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
any device for controlling the flow of a fluid or gas, esp. a movable part that can close or constrict a passageway, such as a stopcock.
To increase the flow of water, he opened the valve.
- similar words:
- cock, tap
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| definition 2: |
an anatomical structure, such as a membranous flap, that controls the flow of a body fluid or keeps it flowing in only one direction.
the heart valves- similar words:
- quality
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| definition 3: |
in musical instruments such as the trumpet, a finger-controlled plunger that can rapidly cut off or lengthen the air column through the instrument to change the pitch sounded.
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| definition 4: |
one of the two hinged halves of a bivalve mollusk or brachiopod shell.
She found one valve of a clam shell on the beach. |
| related words: |
draft, outlet, throttle |
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| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
valved, valves, valving |
| definition: |
to insert or create a valve to control the flow of or in (a fluid or gas, or a passageway for fluid).
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| derivations: |
valveless (adj.), valvelike (adj.) |
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