univalve Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a class of mollusks typically having a one-piece coiled shell and flattened muscular foot with a head bearing stalked eyes
    gastropod.
  2. adjective used of mollusks, especially gastropods, as snails etc.

WordNet

U"ni*valve noun
Etymology
Uni- + valve: cf. F. univalve.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) A shell consisting of one valve only; a mollusk whose shell is composed of a single piece, as the snails and conchs. ✍ 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 adjective (Also<
  • Univalve
  • Univalved
)
Etymology
Cf. F. univalve.
Definitions
  1. (Bot. & Zoöl.) Having one valve; as, a univalve shell or pericarp.

Webster 1913