bivalent

[ bahy-vey-luh nt, biv-uh- ]

/ baɪˈveɪ lənt, ˈbɪv ə- /

adjective

Chemistry.

having a valence of two.
having two valences, as aluminum with valences of two and three.

Genetics. pertaining to associations of two homologous chromosomes.

noun

Genetics. a pair of bivalent chromosomes, especially when pairing during meiosis.

Nearby words

Origin of bivalent

First recorded in 1865–70; bi-¹ + -valent

Related formsbi·va·lence

[bahy-vey-luh ns, biv-uh-luh ns] /baɪˈveɪ ləns, ˈbɪv ə ləns/, bi·va·len·cy, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for bivalent

The presence of bivalent cations, especially Ca, also favours the agglutination.
The Organism as a Whole|Jacques Loeb
Monoxide, mo-nok′sīd, n. an oxide containing a single oxygen atom in combination with two univalent atoms or one bivalent atom.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M)|Various
For the chromosomes of the heterotype mitosis arise by the looping round, not opening out, of the bivalent chromosomes.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 8|Various
The connection of the element x with the spireme up to the stage where the spireme segments to form the bivalent chromosomes.
Studies in Spermatogenesis (Part 1 of 2)|Nettie Maria Stevens

Ionium expels an alpha particle and becomes radium, which is a bivalent element resembling barium belonging to the second group.
A Brief Account of Radio-activity|Francis Preston Venable

British Dictionary definitions for bivalent

bivalent

/ (baɪˈveɪlənt, ˈbɪvə-) /

adjective

chem another word for divalent

(of homologous chromosomes) associated together in pairs

noun

a structure formed during meiosis consisting of two homologous chromosomes associated together

Derived Formsbivalency, noun

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

Word Origin and History for bivalent

bivalent

adj.

1864, of chemicals, 1899, of chromosomes, from bi- + -valent, from Latin valentem, present participle of valere "be worth" (see valiant).

Medicine definitions for bivalent

bivalent

[ bī-vā′lənt ]

adj.

Having a valence of 2; divalent.

Consisting of a pair of homologous, synapsed chromosomes, as occurs during meiosis; double.

n.

A pair of homologous, synapsed chromosomes associated together during meiosis.

Related formsbi•va′lence null n.

Science definitions for bivalent

bivalent

[ bī-vā′lənt ]

Chemistry Having a valence of 2.