univalent

American  

[yoo-nuh-vey-luhnt, yoo-niv-uh-] / ˌyu nəˈveɪ lənt, yuˈnɪv ə- /

adjective

1. Chemistry. having a valence of one; monovalent.

2. Genetics. (of a chromosome) single; unpaired; not possessing or joining its homologous chromosome in synapsis.

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univalent British  

/ juːˈnɪvələnt, ˌjuːnɪˈveɪlənt /

adjective

1. (of a chromosome during meiosis) not paired with its homologue

2. chem another word for monovalent

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univalent Scientific  

/ yo̅o̅′nĭ-vā′lənt /

1. Having a valence of 1.

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Other Word Forms

• univalency noun

Etymology

Origin of univalent

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

Example Sentences

The system, which he named univalent foundations, was the main topic of study at the Institute for Advanced Study for a year, in 2012–13.

From Nature

Me, I was always just Hazel, univalent Hazel.

From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green

Elements such as oxygen, calcium, and zinc, which can combine with two atoms of hydrogen or other univalent elements, are said to be divalent.

From An Elementary Study of Chemistry by McPherson, William

This is seen in the following equations, in which a univalent hydrogen atom is replaced by a univalent sodium atom: NaOH + HCl = NaCl + H2O. 2NaOH + H2SO4 = Na2SO4 + 2H2O.

From An Elementary Study of Chemistry by McPherson, William

A trivalent atom will combine with three atoms of a univalent element, as in the compound III III H3N.

From An Elementary Study of Chemistry by McPherson, William