Water tap terminologies

Construction materials provide array of options to choose. That invites lots of confusion, particularly if we don't understand the terminologies used by the manufacturers, dealers, mason etc. The following list is a jump start and not a complete one.

An aerator spreads water stream into many little droplets. This helps save water and reduce splashing.

Screw type normal water tap provides some kind of resistance to the flow at the point of tap junction. Gate valve has a vertical metal plate (perpendicular to the flow) to open the tap and hence doesn't provide restriction to the flow.

Bibcock prevents water to overflow into house or any desired point in the water piping system.
For eg, a strong valve is placed at the pipe connecting the outlet of the overhead water tank to the rest of the inlet pipe into the house. This valve can be operated while fixing the pipe or tap in the house.

pillar taps are usually found in basins and sinks. They are attached to the floor instead of fitted from the wall.

spout is an outlet part of the tap. Can be for hot or cold water.

mixer tap combines hot and cold inlet and releases a desired combination into the outlet. thermostatic mixer controls the outlet temperature.
The mixer tap requires two types of control, ie increase/decrease temperature and increase/decrease water flow. A simple way to get this is to have two knobs and control these two factors. A single lever mechanism provides a single lever to the above situation - turning the lever left to right would alter the temperature and lifting the lever outwards will increase the water flow.

Divertor helps in channelizing the water. For eg, we can turn the knob to get water in the shower or bath or to the hand shower etc.

pop up - a control on the tap opens and closes the waste, with the mechanism hidden behind the bath or basin.

Traditional tap has a head or knob which should be turned one or two+ full turns (rotations) to get full water capacity. A quarter turn tap requires to turn the knob or lever in a much less distance to get full flow. (Traditional tap uses washer mechanism, quarter turn uses ceramics). The later has many advantages.
Guess half-turn tap is similar version.

flanges - a protective metal sheet holding the tap connection away from the wall. (I am not sure about it .. couldn't get a reference on a quick search)

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