Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

snifting valve

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 0.00 in modern English

Syllables: snift-ing -valve
IPA

23

Scrabble Score

13

Letters

3

Syllables

10

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A small valve opening into the atmosphere from the cylinder or condenser of a steam engine, to allow the escape of air when the piston makes a stroke.

Example Sentences

"The small mounting behind the chimney of many L.N.E.R. locomotives is the "snifting" valve, or vacuum relief valve, provided to keep the superheater elements cool when the engine is running with steam shut off. When the engine is steaming, these valves, which are carried in small chambers connecting with the superheater header, are kept closed by the pressure of the steam; but as soon as the regulator is shut, the valves open, and admit cold air to the superheater pipes. Apart from this provision, the latter, when empty of steam, would be in danger of burning out by the action of the hot gases surrounding them, especially at the firebox end."

Etymology

From the noise of its action.

Inflected Forms

snifting valves (plural)

Synonyms

blow valve snifter valve tail valve

Questions

What does snifting valve mean?: A small valve opening into the atmosphere from the cylinder or condenser of a steam engine, to allow the escape of air when the piston makes a stroke.
Where does snifting valve come from?: From the noise of its action.

How to pronounce snifting valve

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