Dictionary.com

bivalent

[ bahy-vey-luhnt, biv-uh- ]
/ baɪˈveɪ lənt, ˈbɪv ə- /

adjective

Chemistry.
  1. having a valence of two.
  2. 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

biunique, biuniqueness, biuret, biuret reaction, bivalence, bivalent, bivalent chromosome, bivalve, bivane, bivariate, biventral
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for bivalent

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

Medical 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.

Other words from bivalent

bi•va′lence null n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for bivalent

bivalent
[ bī-vā′lənt ]

Chemistry Having a valence of 2.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.