| / English Dictionary |
POLYVALENT
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Having more than one valence, or having a valence of 3 or higher
Synonyms:
multivalent; polyvalent
Classified under:
Attribute:
valence; valency ((chemistry) a property of atoms or radicals; their combining power given in terms of the number of hydrogen atoms (or the equivalent))
Domain category:
chemical science; chemistry (the science of matter; the branch of the natural sciences dealing with the composition of substances and their properties and reactions)
Antonym:
monovalent (having a valence of 1)
Derivation:
polyvalence; polyvalency ((chemistry) the state of having a valence greater than two)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Containing several antibodies each capable of counteracting a specific antigen
Example:
a polyvalent vaccine
Classified under:
Attribute:
valence; valency ((biology) a relative capacity to unite or react or interact as with antigens or a biological substrate)
Domain category:
immunology (the branch of medical science that studies the body's immune system)
Antonym:
monovalent (containing only one kind of antibody)
Derivation:
polyvalence; polyvalency ((toxicology) the state of being capable of counteracting more than one toxin or antigen or kind of microorganism)
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