univalve

[ yoo-nuh-valv ]
/ ˈyu nəˌvælv /

adjective Also u·ni·valved, u·ni·val·vu·lar [yoo-nuh-val-vyuh-ler] /ˌyu nəˈvæl vyə lər/.

having one valve.
(of a shell) composed of a single valve or piece.

noun

a univalve mollusk or its shell.

Origin of univalve

First recorded in 1655–65; uni- + valve

Words nearby univalve

unity of interest, unity ticket, univ., univalence, univalent, univalve, univariate, universal, universal affirmative, universal beam, universal chuck

Example sentences from the Web for univalves

British Dictionary definitions for univalves

univalve
/ (ˈjuːnɪˌvælv) zoology /

adjective

relating to, designating, or possessing a mollusc shell that consists of a single piece (valve)

noun

a gastropod mollusc or its shell

Scientific definitions for univalves

univalve
[ yōō′nĭ-vălv′ ]

A gastropod, especially one with a single shell, such as a snail, cone, whelk, abalone, or limpet. Univalves belong to the subclass Prosobranchia. Their shells are usually spiral and can hold the whole animal inside. Compare bivalve.