any marine or freshwater mollusc of the class Pelecypoda (formerly Bivalvia or Lamellibranchia), having a laterally compressed body, a shell consisting of two hinged valves, and gills for respiration. The group includes clams, cockles, oysters, and mussels
adjective
2. Also: pelecypod, lamellibranch
of, relating to, or belonging to the Pelecypoda
3. Also: bivalvate (baɪˈvælveɪt) biology
having or consisting of two valves or similar parts
a bivalve seed capsule
Derived forms
bivalvular (biˈvalvular)
adjective
bivalve in American English
(ˈbaɪˌvælv)
noun
1.
any of a class (Bivalvia) of mollusks, including mussels and clams, having a shellconsisting of two valves hinged together