Definition of "bivalve" [bi•valve]

• A mollusk, such as an oyster or a clam, that has a shell consisting of two hinged valves. (noun)
• Having a shell consisting of two hinged valves. (adjective)
• Consisting of two similar separable parts. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Vibrio species, including human pathogens, are particularly abundant in bivalve tissues, where they can persist even after cleaning procedures, thus representing a potential risk for human health."
• "The oyster is described as a bivalve shell-fish, having the valves generally unequal."
• "The baby bivalve, which is part of the Limidae family, was swimming like a scallop by clapping its shells together when the photo was taken."