valve
pronunciation
How to pronounce valve in British English:
UK [vælv]
How to pronounce valve in American English:
US [vælv]
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- Noun:
- a structure in a hollow organ (like the heart) with a flap to insure one-way flow of fluid through it
- device in a brass wind instrument for varying the length of the air column to alter the pitch of a tone
- control consisting of a mechanical device for controlling the flow of a fluid
Word Origin
- valve
- valve: [14] The etymological notion underlying valve is of a door opening and closing. The word was adapted from Latin valva, which denoted one of the sections of a folding or revolving door, and may have had links with volvere ‘roll’ (source of English revolve). It carried its original meaning with it into English, but it was not used at all widely until various metaphorical senses, such as ‘flap controlling the flow of a fluid’ and ‘half of a shell’, evolved. The electronic valve is so called because current can flow in only one direction through it; the usage dates from the early 20th century.
- valve (n.)
- late 14c., "one of the halves of a folding door," from Latin valva (plural valvae) "section of a folding or revolving door," literally "that which turns," related to volvere "to roll" (see volvox). Sense extended 1610s to "membranous fold regulating flow of bodily fluids;" 1650s to "mechanical device that works like an anatomical valve;" and 1660s in zoology to "halves of a hinged shell." Related: Valved.
Example
- 1. The fake ceramic valve is poor and broken easily .
- 2. These engines use hydraulics and electronics to optimise valve settings .
- 3. The valve will usually come with rubber couplings and hose clamps .
- 4. We believe ceramic valve will win a bigger market in the future .
- 5. Applying it in industrial valve is a bold and useful innovation .