|
Definition of Valence
1. Noun. (biology) a relative capacity to unite or react or interact as with antigens or a biological substrate.
Generic synonyms: Power, Powerfulness
Category relationships: Biological Science, Biology
Attributes: Univalent, Bivalent, Double, Multivalent, Monovalent, Polyvalent
2. Noun. (chemistry) a property of atoms or radicals; their combining power given in terms of the number of hydrogen atoms (or the equivalent).
Specialized synonyms: Covalence, Covalency
Generic synonyms: Power, Powerfulness
Category relationships: Chemical Science, Chemistry
Attributes: Monovalent, Univalent, Multivalent, Polyvalent
Derivative terms: Valent
Definition of Valence
1. n. 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.
2. n. 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.
Definition of Valence
1. the degree of combining power of an element or radical [n -S]
Medical Definition of Valence
1.