Adjacent Words

multivalent definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: used of the association of three or more homologous chromosomes during the first division of meiosis [ant: bivalent, double, univalent]
2: having more than one valence, or having a valence of 3 or higher [syn: polyvalent, multivalent] [ant: monovalent, univalent]
3: having many values, meanings, or appeals; "subtle, multivalent allegory" [syn: multivalent, multi-valued]

Merriam Webster's

adjective Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary Date: 1869 1. polyvalent 2. represented more than twice in the somatic chromosome number <multivalent chromosomes> 3. having many values, meanings, or appeals • multivalent noun

Oxford Reference Dictionary

adj. Chem. 1 having a valency of more than two. 2 having a variable valency. Derivatives: multivalency n.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Multivalent Mul*tiv"a*lent, a. [Multi- + L. valens, p. pr. See Valence.] (Chem.) (a) Having a valence greater than one, as silicon. (b) Having more than one degree of valence, as sulphur.