n.1 a device for controlling the passage of fluid through a pipe etc., esp. an automatic device allowing movement in one direction only.
2 Anat. & Zool. a membranous part of an organ etc. allowing a flow of blood etc. in one direction only.
3 Brit. thermionic valve.
4 a device to vary the effective length of the tube in a brass musical instrument.
5 each of the two shells of an oyster, mussel, etc.
6 Bot. each of the segments into which a capsule or dry fruit dehisces.
7 archaic a leaf of a folding door.
Derivatives:
valvate adj. valved adj. (also in comb.). valveless adj. valvule n.
Etymology: ME f. L valva leaf of a folding door