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Glite Dictionary
butterfly valve

butterfly valve

1 6.0
A valve with a flat disc that turns to control or stop the flow of water and air
  • noun
  • /ˈbʌtərflaɪ vælv/
  • Specialized
translation icon : válvula de mariposa
  • AWWA butterfly valves feature a fully rubber-lined body and integral shaft bearing seals to ensure all valve components remain maintenance-free beyond AWWA C504 requirements.
  • close the butterfly valve

Examples

  • The butterfly valve isn't closin' all the way.

    October Sky (1999)

  • This company's high-performance butterfly valves have a unique patented symmetrical seat.

    Academic text (1998)

  • The Tufline butterfly valve is available in full- and semi-cryogenic models.

    Academic text (1996)

  • Butterfly valve.

    Renegades (1989)

  • Series 40 butterfly valves provide control of flammable and hazardous fluids.

    Academic text (1998)

  • ISO-MF butterfly valves, standard interface, stainless steel, manual, pneumatic, and motorized actuation.

    Academic text (1997)

  • The actuators can operate ball, plug, or butterfly valves, dampers, and vent equipment requiring 90 to 270 degrees of rotation.

    Academic text (1996)

  • The actuators can operate ball, plug, or butterfly valves, dampers, vents, and other equipment requiring 90 to 270 degrees of rotation.

    Academic text (1996)

  • The engineer explained how the butterfly valve regulates fluid flow in industrial applications.

  • In a carburetor, the butterfly valve controls the amount of air entering the engine.

Synonyms

valve
vsbutterfly valve
  • Specialized
153 4.1

A device that controls the flow of liquid or air in machines and instruments

has a rotating disc design used to throttle or stop flow in pipelines

Surface Forms

butterfly valve singular
butterfly valves plural

Morphology

butterfly + valve

This is a straightforward noun compound where 'butterfly' modifies 'valve' to name a type of valve; knowing 'valve' (flow-control device) and 'butterfly' (the insect/shape), a B1 learner can infer it is a kind of valve (likely named for its shape) used to regulate flow. The composition is literal and cross-linguistically paralleled (e.g. Spanish 'válvula de mariposa'), so the meaning is directly derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Butterfly valve may come from the flat round disc inside that turns like a butterfly's wings when you move it, and that disc in the valve opens and closes the pipe. So the name helps you remember it 'controls' or 'stops the flow' of liquid or air.