-valent

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a combining form with the meanings “having a valence” (quadrivalent), “having homologous chromosomes” (univalent), “having antibodies” (multivalent), of the number specified by the initial element.

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Origin of -valent

<Latin valent- (stem of valēns, present participle of valēre to be strong); see equivalent

Words nearby -valent

Valenciennes, valency, valency electron, valency grammar, Valens, -valent, valentine, Valentine's Day, Valentine's position, Valentinian I, Valentinian II

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use -valent in a sentence

“You have to let them tell you how they feel,” Thomas Valent, who runs the school with his wife, Holly, told the New York Times.
Perfect Your Ho-Ho-Ho’s at the Top Santa-Training School|Nina Strochlic|December 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
They burned down my home, killed my dogs, my cat, my rabbit, blew up my 1966 Plymouth Valent.
A Few Things to Know About Paul Kevin Curtis, the Crazy Ricin Suspect|Josh Dzieza|April 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Le but du Mercure a t de permettre ceux qui en valent la peine d'crire franchement ce qu'il pense—seul plaisir d'un crivain.
Instigations|Ezra Pound
Venena magnum fas nefasque non valent Convertere humanam vicem.
Witchcraft and Devil Lore in the Channel Islands|John Linwood Pitts

Et minim vires frangere quassa valent—A very small degree of force will suffice to break a vessel that is already cracked.
Dictionary of Quotations from Ancient and Modern, English and Foreign Sources|James Wood
Les choses valent toujours mieux dans leur source—Things are always best at their source.
Dictionary of Quotations from Ancient and Modern, English and Foreign Sources|James Wood
Minim vires frangere quassa valent—Very little avails to break a bruised thing.
Dictionary of Quotations from Ancient and Modern, English and Foreign Sources|James Wood

British Dictionary definitions for -valent

-valent

/ (ˈveɪlənt) /

adjective, combining form

chem having a specified valencybivalent; trivalent

Word Origin for -valent

C19: from Latin valentia; see valency

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for -valent

-valent

suff.

Having a specified valence or valences:polyvalent.