divalent

[ dahy-vey-luhnt ]

/ daɪˈveɪ lənt /

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adjective Chemistry.

having a valence of two, as the ferrous ion, Fe++.

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Origin of divalent

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

OTHER WORDS FROM divalent

di·va·lence, noun

Words nearby divalent

diurnal parallax, diuron, div, diva, divagate, divalent, divan, divaricate, divaricator, dive, dive-bomb

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

How to use divalent in a sentence

Univalent hydrogen and divalent oxygen will then have the symbols H- and -O-.
An Elementary Study of Chemistry|William McPherson
In the divalent oxygen we meet with the modification called ozone, which, although unstable, changes but slowly into oxygen.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 14, Slice 8|Various
A divalent element, on the other hand, will combine with two atoms of a univalent element.
An Elementary Study of Chemistry|William McPherson
Silver acts as a univalent element and calcium as a divalent element in the formation of their respective nitrates and chlorides.
An Elementary Study of Chemistry|William McPherson

The elements are divalent in almost all of their compounds, and these compounds in solution give simple, divalent, colorless ions.
An Elementary Study of Chemistry|William McPherson

British Dictionary definitions for divalent

divalent

/ (daɪˈveɪlənt, ˈdaɪˌveɪ-) /

adjective chem

having a valency of two

having two valencies

Abbreviation: bivalent

Derived forms of divalent

divalency, 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