bivalve
[ bahy-valv ]
/ ˈbaɪˌvælv /
noun
Also called lamellibranch. Zoology.
any mollusk, as the oyster, clam, scallop, or mussel, of the class Bivalvia, having two shells hinged together, a soft body, and lamellate gills.
adjective
Botany.
having two valves, as a seedcase.
Zoology.
having two shells, usually united by a hinge.
having two similar parts hinged together.
OTHER WORDS FROM bivalve
bi·val·vu·lar [bahy-val-vyuh-ler] /baɪˈvæl vyə lər/, adjectiveWords nearby bivalve
biuret,
biuret reaction,
bivalence,
bivalent,
bivalent chromosome,
bivalve,
bivane,
bivariate,
biventral,
bivinyl,
bivoltine
Example sentences from the Web for bivalve
British Dictionary definitions for bivalve
bivalve
/ (ˈbaɪˌvælv) /
noun
Also: pelecypod, lamellibranch
any marine or freshwater mollusc of the class Pelecypoda (formerly Bivalvia or Lamellibranchia), having a laterally compressed body, a shell consisting of two hinged valves, and gills for respiration. The group includes clams, cockles, oysters, and mussels
adjective
Also: pelecypod, lamellibranch
of, relating to, or belonging to the Pelecypoda
Also: bivalvate (baɪˈvælveɪt) biology
having or consisting of two valves or similar parts
a bivalve seed capsule
Derived forms of bivalve
bivalvular, adjectiveScientific definitions for bivalve
bivalve
[ bī′vălv′ ]
Any of various mollusks of the class Bivalvia, having a shell consisting of two halves hinged together. Clams, oysters, scallops, and mussels are bivalves. The class Bivalvia is also called Pelecypoda, and was formerly called Lamellibranchia. Compare univalve.