multivalent

American  

[muhl-ti-vey-luhnt, muhl-tiv-uh-luhnt] / ˌmʌl tɪˈveɪ lənt, mʌlˈtɪv ə lənt /

adjective

1. Chemistry. having a valence of three or higher.

2. Immunology.

   1. containing several kinds of antibody.

   2. pertaining to an antibody that contains many antigen-binding sites.

   3. pertaining to an antibody that has many determinants.

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multivalent British  

/ ˌmʌltɪˈveɪlənt /

adjective

1. another word for polyvalent

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multivalent Scientific  

/ mŭl′tĭ-vā′lənt,mŭl-tĭv′ə-lənt /

1. Polyvalent.

2. Relating to the association of three or more homologous chromosomes during the first division of meiosis.

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Other Word Forms

• multivalence noun
• multivalency noun

Etymology

Origin of multivalent

First recorded in 1870–75; multi- + -valent

Example Sentences

Built through a bottom-up molecular engineering strategy, they combine tightly controlled size with a defined number of surface ligands to create a multivalent platform with highly specific interactions at cellular receptors.

From Science Daily

Along with Ray Bradbury, Steven Spielberg and others, she was part of the inaugural advisory committee of the Science Fiction Experience, an early wing of the multivalent museum today known as MoPOP.

From Seattle Times

“Unleashed” partakes in some of these themes and transformations, though their engine is a multivalent form of grief.

From Los Angeles Times

“Bivalent and multivalent vaccines are very common, and modifying a vaccine to include different virus strains often does not require a change in other ingredients,” Dr. Califf wrote.

From Washington Times

“Bivalent and multivalent vaccines are very common, and modifying a vaccine to include different virus strains often does not require a change in other ingredients,” Dr. Califf said.

From Washington Times