tetravalent

[ te-truh-vey-luhnt, te-trav-uh- ]

adjective

, Chemistry.

1. having a valence of four, as Pt +4 .
2. quadrivalent.

tetravalent

/ ˌtɛtrəˈveɪlənt /

adjective

1. having a valency of four
2. Alsoquadrivalent having four valencies

Derived Forms

• ˌtetraˈvalency, noun

Other Words From

• tetra·valence tetra·valen·cy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tetravalent¹

First recorded in 1865–70; tetra- + -valent

Example Sentences

A tetravalent atom, such as that of Carbon, can combine with four monovalent atoms.

From Project Gutenberg

Similarly, we have trivalent, tetravalent, pentavalent elements.

From Project Gutenberg