noun
valve
One of the sections into which a shell or seed case opens.
The shell opens into two valves.
Etymology
The Latin word names one moving section of a door. Biology applies the same opening-section image to shells and seed cases.
More examples
- The seed capsule's valves split apart when dry.
- One valve of the mussel shell lay on the sand.
- The specimen preserved both valves intact.
Forms
valve · valves
Similar words
- shell half
- A plain description in two-part shells.