Adjacent Words

valence definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: (biology) a relative capacity to unite or react or interact as with antigens or a biological substrate [syn: valence, valency]
2: (chemistry) a property of atoms or radicals; their combining power given in terms of the number of hydrogen atoms (or the equivalent) [syn: valence, valency]

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: Late Latin valentia power, capacity, from Latin valent-, valens, present participle of val?re to be strong — more at wield Date: 1884 1. the degree of combining power of an element as shown by the number of atomic weights of a monovalent element (as hydrogen) with which the atomic weight of the element will combine or for which it can be substituted or with which it can be compared 2. a. relative capacity to unite, react, or interact (as with antigens or a biological substrate) b. the degree of attractiveness an individual, activity, or thing possesses as a behavioral goal <the relative potency of the valences of success and failure — Leon Festinger>

Merriam Webster's

geographical name commune SE France S of Lyon population 65,026

Oxford Reference Dictionary

1. n. Chem. esp. US = VALENCY. Phrases and idioms: valence electron an electron in the outermost shell of an atom involved in forming a chemical bond. 2. var. of VALANCE.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Valance Val"ance, n. [Perhaps fr. OF. avalant descending, hanging down, p. pr. of avaler to go down, let down, descent (cf. Avalanche); but probably from the town of Valence in France.] 1. Hanging drapery for a bed, couch, window, or the like, especially that which hangs around a bedstead, from the bed to the floor. [Written also valence.] Valance of Venice gold in needlework. --Shak. 2. The drooping edging of the lid of a trunk. which covers the joint when the lid is closed.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Valence Va"lence, n. [From L. valens, -entis, p. pr. of valere to have power, to be strong. See Valiant.] (Chem.) The degree of combining power of an atom (or radical) as shown by the number of atoms of hydrogen (or of other monads, as chlorine, sodium, etc.) with which it will combine, or for which it can be substituted, or with which it can be compared; thus, an atom of hydrogen is a monad, and has a valence of one; the atoms of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon are respectively dyads, triads, and tetrads, and have a valence respectively of two, three, and four. Note: The valence of certain elements varies in different compounds. Valence in degree may extend as high as seven or eight, as in the cases of iodine and osmium respectively. The doctrine of valence has been of fundamental importance in distinguishing the equivalence from the atomic weight, and is an essential factor in explaining the chemical structures of compounds.