This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
polyvalent
[ pol-ee-vey-luhnt, puh-liv-uh-luhnt ]
/ ˌpɒl iˈveɪ lənt, pəˈlɪv ə lənt /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
adjective
Chemistry. having more than one valence.
Bacteriology. (of an immune serum) containing several antibodies, each capable of reacting with a specific antigen.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
OTHER WORDS FROM polyvalent
pol·y·va·lence, nounWords nearby polyvalent
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use polyvalent in a sentence
The general use of the present commercial polyvalent protective against influenza is not considered desirable.
The complement fixation test is like a Wassermann reaction, but the antigen should be polyvalent.
The Ethics of Medical Homicide and Mutilation|Austin O'MalleyA polyvalent vaccine contains several strains of the infective agent and a mixed contains several different organisms.
The Fundamentals of Bacteriology|Charles Bradfield MorreyCommercial vaccines are stock vaccines and are usually polyvalent or even mixed.
The Fundamentals of Bacteriology|Charles Bradfield Morrey
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, nounCollins 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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.