valency

[ vey-luhn-see ]

noun

, Chemistry.

, plural va·len·cies.

1. valence ( def 1 ).

valency

/ ˈveɪlənsɪ /

noun

1. chem a property of atoms or groups, equal to the number of atoms of hydrogen that the atom or group could combine with or displace in forming compounds
2. linguistics the number of satellite noun phrases with which a verb combines

   the English verb `give' takes a subject and two objects, so it has a valency of three

3. immunol
   1. the number of antigen-binding sites on an antibody molecule
   2. the number of antigen-binding sites with which an antigen can combine

Word History and Origins

Origin of valency¹

C19: from Latin valentia strength, from valēre to be strong

Example Sentences

The theory of valency thus founded has dominated the subsequent development of chemical doctrine, and forms the groundwork upon which the fabric of modern structural chemistry reposes.

From Project Gutenberg

When multiplied by the valency it gives the atomic weight.

From Project Gutenberg

Faraday's Law.—Faraday found that the quantity of electricity required to liberate one gramme-molecule of any radical is 96.537 coulombs for each valency of the radical.

From Project Gutenberg

The effectiveness of the various electrolytes in bringing about this change is proportional to their valency; bivalent ions are from 70 to 80 times, and trivalent ions about 600 times as effective as monovalent ions.

From Project Gutenberg

A general classification of elements, however, was not realized by Frankland, nor even by Odling, who had also investigated the question from the valency standpoint.

From Project Gutenberg