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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Bivalve \Bi"valve\, noun [F. bivalve; bi- (L. bis) + valve valve.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) 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.
2. (Bot.) A pericarp in which the seed case opens or splits into two parts or valves.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Bivalve \Bi"valve\, adjective [Pref. bi- + valve.] (Zo["o]l. & Bot.) Having two shells or valves which open and shut, as the oyster and certain seed vessels.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
bivalve
adjective: used of mollusks having two shells (as clams etc.) [syn: {bivalved}] [ant: {univalve}]
noun: marine or freshwater mollusks having a soft body with platelike gills enclosed within two shells hinged together [syn: {pelecypod}, {lamellibranch}]
From U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [gazetteer]:
Bivalve, MD Zip code(s): 21814
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |