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valvate

American  
[val-veyt] / ˈvæl veɪt /

adjective

  1. furnished with or opening by a valve or valves.

  2. serving as or resembling a valve.

  3. Botany.

    1. opening by valves, as certain capsules and anthers.

    2. meeting without overlapping, as the parts of certain buds.

    3. composed of or characterized by such parts.


valvate British  
/ ˈvælveɪt /

adjective

  1. furnished with a valve or valves

  2. functioning as or resembling a valve

  3. botany

    1. having or taking place by means of valves

      valvate dehiscence

    2. (of petals or sepals in the bud) having the margins touching but not overlapping

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of valvate

First recorded in 1820–30, valvate is from the Latin word valvātus with folding doors. See valve, -ate 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Corolla salver-form or funnel-form, usually much longer than the calyx-lobes, 4-lobed, the lobes valvate in the bud.

From Project Gutenberg

Calyx valvate and very early open, naked.

From Project Gutenberg

ANDRÓMEDA, L. Calyx without bractlets, of 5 nearly or partly distinct sepals, valvate in the bud, but very soon separate or open.

From Project Gutenberg

Calyx without bractlets, of 5 almost distinct sepals, valvate in the bud.

From Project Gutenberg

Corolla deeply 5-parted, the divisions valvate in the bud, reflexed, deciduous.

From Project Gutenberg