trivalent

[trahy-vey-luh nt, triv-uh-luh nt]

adjective

Chemistry. having a valence of three.
Immunology. having three binding sites, as certain antigens.

Origin of trivalent

1865–70; tri- + valent

Related formstri·va·lence, tri·va·len·cy, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for trivalent

Historical Examples of trivalent

Antimony acts as a trivalent element in the formation of a chloride.
An Elementary Study of Chemistry
William McPherson
Similarly, we have trivalent, tetravalent, pentavalent elements.
An Elementary Study of Chemistry
William McPherson
Similarly, a trivalent atom, such as that of Nitrogen, can unite with three monovalent atoms.
The Making of Species
Douglas Dewar
The trivalent hydroxides are too weak bases390 to form stable salts with so weak an acid as carbonic acid.
The Elements of Qualitative Chemical Analysis, vol. 1, parts 1 and 2.
Julius Stieglitz
Triatomic, trī-a-tom′ik, adj. consisting of three atoms: trivalent.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements)
Various

British Dictionary definitions for trivalent

trivalent

adjective chem

having a valency of three
having three valencies

Also: tervalent

Derived Formstrivalency, 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

trivalent in Medicine