bivalve

4 definitions found

bivalve - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Bivalve \Bi"valve\, a. [Pref. bi- + valve.] (Zool. & Bot.)
     Having two shells or valves which open and shut, as the
     oyster and certain seed vessels.
     [1913 Webster]

  Bivalve \Bi"valve\, n. [F. bivalve; bi- (L. bis) + valve valve.]
     1. (Zool.) A mollusk having a shell consisting of two lateral
        plates or valves joined together by an elastic ligament at
        the hinge, which is usually strengthened by prominences
        called teeth. The shell is closed by the contraction of
        two transverse muscles attached to the inner surface, as
        in the clam, -- or by one, as in the oyster. See Mollusca.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Bot.) A pericarp in which the seed case opens or splits
        into two parts or valves.
        [1913 Webster]

bivalve - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  bivalve
      adj 1: used of mollusks having two shells (as clams etc.) [syn:
             bivalve, bivalved] [ant: univalve]
      n 1: marine or freshwater mollusks having a soft body with
           platelike gills enclosed within two shells hinged together
           [syn: bivalve, pelecypod, lamellibranch]

bivalve - U.S. Gazetteer (1990) :

  Bivalve, MD
    Zip code(s): 21814