Definition

1. Noun:

   • Uvula: In anatomy, the small, fleshy, teardrop-shaped piece of tissue that hangs down from the soft palate at the back of the mouth.
   • Reed: In music, a thin strip of material (often cane or metal) in a wind instrument that vibrates to produce sound when air is blown past it.

2. Noun (technical):

   • Valve (historical/mechanical): In older or specific technical contexts, it can refer to a valve, particularly one resembling a flap or tongue, such as in a pump or early engine.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Anatomy):
  • Khi bị viêm, lưỡi gà có thể sưng lên. (When inflamed, the uvula can swell.)
• Noun (Music):
  • Âm sắc của kèn clarinet phụ thuộc nhiều vào chất lượng của lưỡi gà. (The clarinet's tone depends greatly on the quality of the reed.)
• Noun (Technical):
  • Động cơ hơi nước cũ sử dụng hệ thống lưỡi gà để điều khiển hơi. (The old steam engine used a system of valves to control the steam.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is a compound noun, literally "chicken's tongue," due to the visual resemblance of both the uvula and a reed to a small tongue.

Variants and Related Words

• Lưỡi gà kèn (sáo): Specifically refers to a musical instrument reed.
• Viêm lưỡi gà: Medical term for uvulitis (inflammation of the uvula).

Synonyms

• Uvula: For the anatomical part.
• Reed: For the musical instrument part.
• Flap valve / Tongue valve: For the technical component.

Related Idioms

• No common idioms directly use "lưỡi gà." Its usage is primarily technical (medical, musical) or descriptive.

1. Tongue,reed
   • Lưỡi gà của kèn
     A trumpet reed
2. Valve
3. Uvula