stopcock

Plural: stopcocks

Noun

• A valve, typically for regulating the flow of fluid in a pipe.
• faucet consisting of a rotating device for regulating flow of a liquid
• A valve, tap or faucet which regulates the flow of liquid or gas through a pipe.
• A main shutoff for water to a home from a municipal supply. Usually these valves exist in pairs, one outside the property boundary and one inside the property boundary.

Verb

• To control the gas pressure in (an oil well) by keeping the well closed in and the gas confined except during set intervals when the oil is flowed or pumped.

Examples

• If you have a burst pipe, turn the water off at the stopcock.
• With a well-placed STOPCOCK, she cut off any chance of her opponent extending her word.

Synonyms

cock, turncock