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Glite Dictionary
semilunar valve

semilunar valve

6.0
A part of the heart with moon-shaped flaps that stops blood flowing back after each beat
  • noun
  • /ˌsɛmɪˈlunər vælv/
  • Specialized
translation icon : válvula semilunar
  • When the heart beats, the semilunar valve prevents the blood from flowing back inside.

Examples

  • The semilunar valve opens to allow blood to flow from the heart into the aorta.

  • Each semilunar valve has crescent-shaped cusps that help regulate blood flow in the heart.

  • The semilunar valve should be on our left any second now.

    Fantastic Voyage (1966)

Surface Forms

semilunar valve singular
semilunar valves plural

Morphology

semilunar + valve

The meaning is directly compositional: 'semilunar' = crescent/half‑moon shaped and 'valve' = a flow‑control device, so a learner who knows both constituents can infer it is a valve shaped like a crescent. The anatomical function (preventing backflow) follows from the concept of a valve, making the phrase transparent rather than idiomatic.

Etymology

Semilunar valve comes from parts that mean 'half' and 'moon': semi means 'half' and lunar means 'moon', so the valve's flaps are shaped like a half-moon. These half-moon flaps close like a 'one-way' door to stop blood from flowing back into the heart, which is why the name refers to valves that prevent backward blood flow.