valve

noun

1.
a structure in a hollow organ (like the heart) with a flap to insure one-way flow of fluid through it
2.
device in a brass wind instrument for varying the length of the air column to alter the pitch of a tone
Derived from:
valvelet
3.
control consisting of a mechanical device for controlling the flow of a fluid
4.
the entire one-piece shell of a snail and certain other molluscs
5.
one of the paired hinged shells of certain molluscs and of brachiopods