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What is "multivalent"

The Collaborative International Dictionary
Multivalent

Multivalent \Mul*tiv"a*lent\, a. [Multi- + L. valens, p. pr. See Valence.]

  1. (Chem.)

    1. Having a valence greater than one, as silicon.

    2. Having more than one degree of valence, as sulphur.

  2. (Immunology) Having multiple antigen-binding sites; -- of antibody molecules.

  3. (Immunology) Containing several types of antibody, to protect against more than one disease; polyvalent; -- of vaccines.

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
multivalent

1874, from multi- + -valent, from Latin valentem, present participle of valere "be worth" (see valiant).

Wiktionary
multivalent

a. 1 (context chemistry English) Having more than one valency or having a valency greater than 3; polyvalent 2 (context genetics English) Having three or more homologous chromosomes during the first division of meiosis 3 (context immunology English) Having more than one attachment site for an antibody or antigen 4 Having many meanings n. (context genetics English) Any multivalent chromosome.

WordNet
multivalent

  1. adj. used of the association of three or more homologous chromosomes during the first division of meiosis [ant: univalent, bivalent]

  2. having more than one valence, or having a valence of 3 or higher [syn: polyvalent] [ant: monovalent]

  3. having many values, meanings, or appeals; "subtle, multivalent allegory" [syn: multi-valued]

Usage examples of "multivalent".

His creation is too multivalent, the guilt too evenly shared by all for mere monitory finger-pointing.

It is cosmopolitan, corrupt, mannerly, creative, historic, innovative, multivalent, gentle, bold, concerned, and exciting.

So whereas the dream itself presented a single, multivalent image, I now have several definite, unambiguous figures, standing side-by-side in my intellect.

Nor did his sense of multivalent truth and personal liberalism blind him to the indispensable role of conflict in the life of the individual and society.

But it was most dramatic in the multivalent aberree: for when the engram did not lift, it impinged against his analytical mind when he was awakened and created a variation in his psychoses and brought with it psychosomatic illnesses as well.

The earlier a person went in the life of a multivalent aberree the less likelihood there was of restimulating him artificially.