univalent

[ yoo-nuh-vey-luhnt, yoo-niv-uh- ]

adjective
  1. Chemistry. having a valence of one; monovalent.

  2. Genetics. (of a chromosome) single; unpaired; not possessing or joining its homologous chromosome in synapsis.

Origin of univalent

1
First recorded in 1865–70; uni- + -valent

Words Nearby univalent

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use univalent in a sentence

  • univalent hydrogen and divalent oxygen will then have the symbols H- and -O-.

  • A divalent element, on the other hand, will combine with two atoms of a univalent element.

  • Silver acts as a univalent element and calcium as a divalent element in the formation of their respective nitrates and chlorides.

  • As will be shown later in the chapter, the group NH4 in this compound acts as a univalent radical and is known as ammonium.

  • These compounds, when dissolved in water, dissociate in such a way as to form simple, univalent metallic ions which are colorless.

British Dictionary definitions for univalent

univalent

/ (ˌjuːnɪˈveɪlənt, juːˈnɪvələnt) /


adjective
  1. (of a chromosome during meiosis) not paired with its homologue

  2. chem another word for monovalent

Derived forms of univalent

  • univalency, 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 univalent

univalent

[ yōō′nĭ-vālənt ]


  1. Having a valence of 1.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.