multivalent

2 definitions found

multivalent - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Multivalent \Mul*tiv"a*lent\, a. [Multi- + L. valens, p. pr. See
     Valence.]
     1. (Chem.)
        (a) Having a valence greater than one, as silicon.
        (b) Having more than one degree of valence, as sulphur.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Immunology) Having multiple antigen-binding sites; -- of
        antibody molecules.
        [PJC]
  
     3. (Immunology) Containing several types of antibody, to
        protect against more than one disease; polyvalent; -- of
        vaccines.
        [PJC]

multivalent - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  multivalent
      adj 1: used of the association of three or more homologous
             chromosomes during the first division of meiosis [ant:
             bivalent, double, univalent]
      2: having more than one valence, or having a valence of 3 or
         higher [syn: polyvalent, multivalent] [ant: monovalent,
         univalent]
      3: having many values, meanings, or appeals; "subtle,
         multivalent allegory" [syn: multivalent, multi-valued]