univalve

American  

[yoo-nuh-valv] / ˈyu nəˌvælv /

adjective

1. having one valve.

2. (of a shell) composed of a single valve or piece.

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noun

1. a univalve mollusk or its shell.

univalve British  

/ ˈjuːnɪˌvælv /

adjective

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

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noun

1. a gastropod mollusc or its shell

univalve Scientific  

/ yo̅o̅′nĭ-vălv′ /

1. 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.

2. Compare bivalve

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Etymology

Origin of univalve

First recorded in 1655–65; uni- + valve

Example Sentences

And when the chambered shells, whose occupants were carnivorous, disappeared with the secondary period, numerous univalve mollusks were created to feed on other animals; although previously that family were herbivorous.

From The Religion of Geology and Its Connected Sciences by Hitchcock, Edward

In the next higher class of the Gasteropoda, or marine univalve shells, the sexes are either united or separate.

From The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex, Vol. I by Darwin, Charles

The mother-of-pearl which lines some shells, both univalve and bivalve.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir

The second locality is near the convent of Bikeurby, where a stratum occurs containing numerous univalve shells of the genus Nerinœa, which being harder than the rock containing them, stand up on its weathered surface.

From The Thistle and the Cedar of Lebanon by Risk Allah, Habeeb

Shell univalve, turbinated, inversely conic, convolute; aperture longitudinal, narrow, not toothed; base effuse; spire very short.

From Zoological Illustrations, Volume I or Original Figures and Descriptions of New, Rare, or Interesting Animals by Swainson, William