bivalent

[ bahy-vey-luhnt, biv-uh- ]

adjective

1. Chemistry.
   1. having a valence of two.
   2. having two valences, as aluminum with valences of two and three.
2. Genetics. pertaining to associations of two homologous chromosomes.

noun

1. Genetics. a pair of bivalent chromosomes, especially when pairing during meiosis.

bivalent

/ baɪˈveɪlənt; ˈbɪvə- /

adjective

1. chem another word for divalent
2. (of homologous chromosomes) associated together in pairs

noun

1. a structure formed during meiosis consisting of two homologous chromosomes associated together

bivalent

/ bī-vā′lənt /

1. Chemistry.
   Having a valence of 2.

Derived Forms

• biˈvalency, noun

Other Words From

• bi·va·lence [bahy-, vey, -l, uh, ns, biv, -, uh, -l, uh, ns], bi·valen·cy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bivalent¹

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

Example Sentences

They found that the monovalent vaccine increased their ability to produce mucosal antibodies against most of the tested variants, whereas the bivalent vaccine didn't provide a significant boost.

From Science Daily

Overall, antibodies produced by serum from the bivalent vaccine-dosed health care professionals were more efficient at neutralizing BA.2.86 than they were at neutralizing other omicron variants, including XBB.1.5.

From Science Daily

Among those who had received the recently released bivalent booster vaccine, it was zero.

From Los Angeles Times

Uptake in Texas is already low, with fewer than 4% of residents getting the bivalent booster that rolled out last year.

From Salon

Some are being randomized to get either a Moderna bivalent booster, which became available last fall, or the original Novavax vaccine.

From Science Magazine