valve

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a control consisting of a mechanical device for controlling the flow of a fluid

   If we can turn off the valve soon, we can stop the basement from flooding.

2. 2
   noun

   a structure in a hollow organ, like the heart, with a flap to insure one-way flow of fluid through it

   One of your heart valves is not functioning properly.

3. 3
   noun

   A device that controls the flow of a gas or fluid through a space, such as a pipe, manifold, or plenum.

   Open the valve.

4. 4
   noun

   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 ileocecal valve.

From Middle English valve, from Latin valva (“double door, valve”). Doublet of valva.

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