Bivalve

Definition

Bivalve refers to any mollusk of the class Bivalvia, characterized by a shell consisting of two hinged valves; it includes clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops. Its plural form is bivalves.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA: /ˈbaɪvælv/
• Respelling: BYE-valve

British English

• IPA: /ˈbɪvælv/
• Respelling: BI-valve

Etymology

Mid 19th century: from bi- “two” + Latin valva “leaf of a door, folding door,” referring to the two-part shell.

Derivatives

• Bivalvia (noun: the class name)
• bivalved (adjective)
• bivalvular (adjective)

Synonyms

• lamellibranch (alternative scientific term)

Antonyms

• univalve (a mollusk with a single shell)

Usage

"The tidal flats were covered with countless bivalves such as clams and cockles."

"Oysters are filter-feeding bivalves prized for their pearls."

Related Terms

• Mollusk: The phylum that includes bivalves, gastropods, and cephalopods.
• Bivalvia: The class comprising all bivalve mollusks.
• Gastropod: A class of mollusks with a single shell or none (snails, slugs).
• Cephalopod: A class of mollusks with tentacles (octopus, squid).
• Hinge: The ligamentous joint connecting the two valves of a bivalve shell.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• A mollusk with a two-part hinged shell – aquatic invertebrate whose shell consists of two calcareous valves joined by a flexible ligament.
  • Example: "Scallops are free-swimming bivalves that clap their shells to move."
• Any member of the class Bivalvia – the taxonomic group including clams, oysters, mussels, scallops, and related species.
  • Example: "Freshwater bivalves such as mussels play important roles in river ecosystems."