polyvalent

[ pol-ee-vey-luhnt, puh-liv-uh-luhnt ]

/ ˌpɒl iˈveɪ lənt, pəˈlɪv ə lənt /

Save This Word!

adjective

Chemistry. having more than one valence.

Bacteriology. (of an immune serum) containing several antibodies, each capable of reacting with a specific antigen.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of polyvalent

First recorded in 1880–85; poly- + -valent

OTHER WORDS FROM polyvalent

pol·y·va·lence, noun

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

British Dictionary definitions for polyvalent

polyvalent

/ (ˌpɒlɪˈveɪlənt, pəˈlɪvələnt) /

adjective

chem having more than one valency

(of a vaccine)

effective against several strains of the same disease-producing microorganism, antigen, or toxin
produced from cultures containing several strains of the same microorganism

Derived forms of polyvalent

polyvalency, 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 polyvalent

polyvalent

[ pŏl′ē-vā′lənt ]

Acting against or interacting with more than one kind of antigen, antibody, toxin, or microorganism.

Having more than one valence. Iron and manganese are polyvalent elements.