bivalent

[ bahy-vey-luhnt, biv-uh- ]

/ baɪˈveɪ lənt, ˈbɪv ə- /

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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.

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Origin of bivalent

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

OTHER WORDS FROM bivalent

bi·va·lence

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

Words nearby bivalent

Bitzer, biunique, biuniqueness, biuret, bivalence, bivalent, bivalve, bivane, bivariate, bivinyl, bivoltine

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use bivalent in a sentence

That's the takeaway from a study released Tuesday morning from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which offered the first clinical efficacy data for the bivalent shot since its national rollout in September.
First efficacy data on bivalent boosters shows they work against infection|Beth Mole|November 22, 2022|Ars Technica
The United Kingdom, Switzerland and Australia have already given the nod for use of that dual, or bivalent, booster.
What you need to know about the new omicron booster shots|Tina Hesman Saey|September 2, 2022|Science News
Some data presented at the meeting hinted that a bivalent dose might spark immunity that could be more durable, but that’s still unknown.
New COVID-19 boosters could contain bits of the omicron variant|Erin Garcia de Jesús|June 30, 2022|Science News
The FDA could have authorized either a vaccine that contains omicron alone or a bivalent shot.
New COVID-19 boosters could contain bits of the omicron variant|Erin Garcia de Jesús|June 30, 2022|Science News

In response, vaccine manufacturers including Moderna have developed combination, or bivalent, vaccines to enhance protection against Omicron.
Omicron-Specific Booster Increases Antibody Levels, Moderna Says|Alice Park|June 8, 2022|Time
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
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
Figure 145 is a prophase showing the bivalent chromosomes still connected by linin fibers.
Studies in Spermatogenesis|Nettie Maria Stevens
In Tenebrio molitor, the unequal pair behaved in every respect like the other bivalent chromosomes.
Studies in Spermatogenesis|Nettie Maria Stevens
Bouquet stage from iron-hæmatoxylin preparations, showing the heterochromosome bivalent (x).
Studies in Spermatogenesis|Nettie Maria Stevens

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 forms of bivalent

bivalency, 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

Scientific definitions for bivalent

bivalent

[ bī-vā′lənt ]

Chemistry Having a valence of 2.