va·len·cy (v  l n-s )n. Variant of valence. |
valency [ˈveɪlənsɪ] esp US and Canadian, valence
n pl -cies, -ces
1. (Chemistry) Chem a property of atoms or groups, equal to the number of atoms of hydrogen that the atom or group could combine with or displace in forming compounds
2. (Linguistics) Linguistics the number of satellite noun phrases with which a verb combines the English verb ``give'' takes a subject and two objects, so it has a valency of three
3. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biochemistry) Immunol
a. the number of antigen-binding sites on an antibody molecule
b. the number of antigen-binding sites with which an antigen can combine
[from Latin valentia strength, from valēre to be strong]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | valency - the phenomenon of forming chemical bonds chemical phenomenon - any natural phenomenon involving chemistry (as changes to atoms or molecules) |
| 2. | valency - (biology) a relative capacity to unite or react or interact as with antigens or a biological substrate power, powerfulness - possession of controlling influence; "the deterrent power of nuclear weapons"; "the power of his love saved her"; "his powerfulness was concealed by a gentle facade" biological science, biology - the science that studies living organisms | |
| 3. | valency - (chemistry) a property of atoms or radicals; their combining power given in terms of the number of hydrogen atoms (or the equivalent) covalence, covalency - valence characterized by the sharing of electrons in a chemical compound; the number of pairs of electrons an atom can share power, powerfulness - possession of controlling influence; "the deterrent power of nuclear weapons"; "the power of his love saved her"; "his powerfulness was concealed by a gentle facade" chemical science, chemistry - the science of matter; the branch of the natural sciences dealing with the composition of substances and their properties and reactions |
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