electrovalence

[ ih-lek-troh-vey-luhns ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. Also called polar valence. the valence of an ion, equal to the number of positive or negative charges acquired by an atom through a loss or gain of electrons.
2. Also called electrovalent bond. ionic bond.

Other Words From

• e·lec·tro·va·lent adjective
• e·lec·tro·va·lent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of electrovalence¹

First recorded in 1920–25; electro(n) + valence