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Definition valence

Etymology 1

In the sense “extract, preparation”, from Latin valentia (“strength, capacity”) (1425). The now-current sense of “combining capacity (of an atom)” is from German Valenz (1884), from the same Latin word. The linguistic definition was formed in analogy to its use in chemistry. The sense “one-dimensional value” used in psychology is also from German Valenz (1935).

Noun

valence (countable and uncountable, plural valences)

1. (chemistry, medicine, obsolete) An extract; a preparation, now especially one effective against a certain number of strains of a pathogen.
2. (chemistry) The combining capacity of an atom, radical or functional group determined by the number of electrons that it will lose, gain, or share when it combines with other atoms etc. [from 1884]
3. (chemistry) The number of binding sites of a molecule, such as an antibody or antigen.
4. (linguistics) The number of arguments that a verb can have, including its subject, ranging from zero (for the likes of "It rains") to three (for the likes of "He gives her a flower") or, less commonly, four.
5. (especially psychology) A one-dimensional value assigned to an object, situation, or state, that can usually be positive or negative. [from 1935]
6. (sociology) Value.

Etymology 2

This etymology is incomplete. You can help Wiktionary by elaborating on the origins of this term.

Noun

valence (plural valences)

1. Alternative spelling of valance

Results 173 Words with the letters VALENCE

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