valve | |
1. n. A device that controls the flow of a gas or fluid through a pipe. | |
2. n. A device that admits fuel and air into the cylinder of an internal combustion engine, or one that allows combustion gases to exit. | |
3. n. (anatomy) One or more membranous partitions, flaps, or folds, which permit the passage of the contents of a vessel or cavity in one direction, but stop or control the flow in the opposite direction | |
the ileocolic, mitral, and semilunar valves | |
4. n. One of the leaves of a folding door. | |
5. n. (British) A vacuum tube. | |
6. n. (botany) One of the pieces into which certain fruits naturally separate when they dehisce. | |
7. n. (botany) A small portion of certain anthers, which opens like a trapdoor to allow the pollen to escape, such as in the barberry. | |
8. n. (biology) One of the pieces or divisions of bivalve or multivalve shells. | |
9. n. (biology) One of the two similar portions of the shell of a diatom. | |
10. v. To control (flow) by means of a valve. | |