valvevælv(n.; v.)valved, valv•ing.

1. (n.)any device for halting or controlling the flow of something, as a liquid, through a pipe or other passage.

2. a hinged lid or other movable part that closes or modifies the passage in such a device.

3. a membranous structure that permits the flow of a fluid, as blood, in one direction only.

4. (in brass instruments) a device for changing the length of the air column to alter the pitch of a tone.

   Category: Music and Dance

5. one of the two or more separable pieces composing certain shells:

   the valves of a clamshell.

   Category: Zoology

6. Bot. one of the segments into which a fruit capsule dehisces. a flap or lidlike part of certain anthers.

   Category: Botany

7. Chiefly Brit.

   Category: Electronics

   Ref: vacuum tube . 1

8. Archaic. one of the leaves of a double or folding door.

9. (v.t.)to provide with a valve.

Origin of valve:

1350–1400; ME < L valvae leaves of a door

val′vu•lar(adj.)

val′val(adj.)

val′var(adj.)