UNIVALVE

univalve

(adjective) used of mollusks, especially gastropods, as snails etc.

gastropod, univalve

(noun) a class of mollusks typically having a one-piece coiled shell and flattened muscular foot with a head bearing stalked eyes

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adjective

univalve (not comparable)

having one valve; typically used to refer to mollusks, notably slugs and snails.

consisting of a single valve or piece, used to refer to a shell.

Noun

univalve (plural univalves)

A univalve mollusk or its shell.

Usage notes

The term univalve is now considered outdated in scientific classification, and the term gastropod is preferred.

Synonyms

• gastropod

Coordinate terms

• bivalve

Source: Wiktionary


U"ni*valve, n. Etym: [Uni- + valve: cf. F. univalve.] (Zoöl.)

Definition: A shell consisting of one valve only; a mollusk whose shell is composed of a single piece, as the snails and conchs.

Note: Most univalves are spiral and are the shells of gastropods, but many belong to cephalopods and pteropods. A large number of univalves belonging to the gastropods are conical, cup-shaped, or shieldlike, as the limpets.

U"ni*valve, U"ni*valved, a. Etym: [Cf. F. univalve.] (Bot. & Zoöl.)

Definition: Having one valve; as, a univalve shell or pericarp.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

2 April 2025

COVERT

(adjective) secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed; “covert actions by the CIA”; “covert funding for the rebels”


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