butterfly valve

noun

1. a clack valve having two flaps with a common hinge.
2. a valve, as the throttle valve in a carburetor, that swings about a central axis across its face.

butterfly valve

noun

1. a disc that acts as a valve by turning about a diameter, esp one used as the throttle valve in a carburettor
2. a non-return valve consisting of two semicircular plates hinged about a common central spindle

Word History and Origins

Origin of butterfly valve¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Workers completed replacing the ruptured pipe junction on Sunset Boulevard, welded it and installed a pair of 36-inch butterfly valves that weigh two tons each, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power said.

From New York Times

In the secondary system A is a cold-air passage, T a butterfly valve and J a gasoline jet discharging into the cold-air passage.

From Project Gutenberg

A small anchor splashed into the river, while Jack, putting on an old jumper and overalls, kept for such emergencies, took off the carburetor and proceeded to examine it, from cork float to butterfly valve.

From Project Gutenberg

Note the butterfly valves in the ∪-shaped air intakes.

From Project Gutenberg

In slow moving engines the bucket valve is generally of the spindle or pot-lid kind, but butterfly valves are sometimes used.

From Project Gutenberg