valency
Americannoun
plural
valenciesnoun
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chem a property of atoms or groups, equal to the number of atoms of hydrogen that the atom or group could combine with or displace in forming compounds
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linguistics the number of satellite noun phrases with which a verb combines
the English verb `give' takes a subject and two objects, so it has a valency of three
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immunol
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the number of antigen-binding sites on an antibody molecule
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the number of antigen-binding sites with which an antigen can combine
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Etymology
Origin of valency
C19: from Latin valentia strength, from valēre to be strong
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The Visit” is based on a 1956 Friedrich Durrenmatt play adapted by Maurice Valency.
From Washington Times • Jan. 8, 2015
“The Visit” is based on the satirical play by Friedrich Dürrenmatt, as adapted by Maurice Valency.
From New York Times • Jan. 8, 2015
And, when the wall of water, sparked by a freak rainstorm on higher ground, reached the blockage the rivers Valency and Jordan were unleashed on Boscastle.
From BBC • Aug. 15, 2014
The main bridge in the village, next to the hotel, had become blocked by debris from the River Valency.
From BBC • Aug. 15, 2014
Why did not Valency In his purl deplore One whose haunts were whence he Drew his limpid store?
From Satires of Circumstance, lyrics and reveries with miscellaneous pieces by Hardy, Thomas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
