Valence

['veɪl(ə)ns] or ['veləns]

Definition

(noun.) (chemistry) a property of atoms or radicals; their combining power given in terms of the number of hydrogen atoms (or the equivalent).

(noun.) (biology) a relative capacity to unite or react or interact as with antigens or a biological substrate.

Typed by Ewing--From WordNet

Definition

(n.) The degree of combining power of an atom (or radical) as shown by the number of atoms of hydrogen (or of other monads, as chlorine, sodium, etc.) with which it will combine, or for which it can be substituted, or with which it can be compared; thus, an atom of hydrogen is a monad, and has a valence of one; the atoms of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon are respectively dyads, triads, and tetrads, and have a valence respectively of two, three, and four.

Checker: Mortimer

Definition

n. (chem.) the combining power of an element or the proportion in which it forms a combination with another.—Also Vā′lency.

Typist: Rudy