valve
//vælv//
Noun
valveSingular
valvesPlural
1
A device that controls the flow of liquid or gas through a pipe by opening or closing a passage
Turn the valve to stop the water flow.
2
A membranous structure in the heart or blood vessels that allows blood to flow in one direction only
The heart has four valves that control blood flow.
3
A device in a brass musical instrument that changes the pitch by altering the length of the air column
The trumpet has three valves that allow the player to produce different notes.
4
Either of the two halves of the shell of a mollusk such as an oyster or clam
The oyster's valve was smooth and white on the inside.
Verb
1
To control or regulate the flow of something using a valve
The engineer valved the steam to reduce pressure in the system.