valve
valve Lexical Profile
valve Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A device for controlling the passage of fluid or air through a pipe, duct, or other channel, typically by means of a movable part that opens, closes, or partially obstructs the port or passageway.
"The plumber had to shut off the main water valve before repairing the leak in the kitchen."
A membranous fold or structure in a hollow organ or tubular passage, such as a vein or the heart, that closes to prevent the backward flow of blood or other bodily fluids.
"The cardiologist explained that a leaking mitral valve was the cause of the patient's fatigue."
One of the separable halves of the hinged shell of a bivalve mollusk or a brachiopod.
"When walking along the beach, the biologist pointed out how the two valves of the oyster shell fit perfectly together."
• verb
To control or regulate the flow of a liquid or gas using a mechanical valve.
"The engineers valved the exhaust gas precisely to ensure maximum turbine efficiency."
• Rhymes for valve
Word Origin & Etymology
From Latin 'valva', meaning 'leaf of a folding door'. It was originally used in English in the 14th century to describe the halves of a folding door, and later applied to anatomical structures and mechanical devices that regulate flow.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.