bivalent

[ bahy-vey-luh nt, biv-uh- ]
/ baɪˈveɪ lənt, ˈbɪv ə- /

adjective

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

noun

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

Origin of bivalent

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

OTHER WORDS FROM bivalent

bi·va·lence [bahy-vey-luh ns, biv-uh-luh ns] /baɪˈveɪ ləns, ˈbɪv ə ləns/, bi·va·len·cy, noun

Words nearby bivalent

biunique, biuniqueness, biuret, biuret reaction, bivalence, bivalent, bivalent chromosome, bivalve, bivane, bivariate, biventral

British Dictionary definitions for bivalence (1 of 2)

bivalence
/ (baɪˈveɪləns, ˈbɪvə-) /

noun

logic philosophy the semantic principle that there are exactly two truth values, so that every meaningful statement is either true or false Compare many-valued logic

British Dictionary definitions for bivalence (2 of 2)

bivalent
/ (baɪˈveɪlənt, ˈbɪvə-) /

adjective

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

noun

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

Derived forms of bivalent

bivalency, noun

Medical definitions for bivalence

bivalent
[ bī-vā′lənt ]

adj.

Having a valence of 2; divalent.
Consisting of a pair of homologous, synapsed chromosomes, as occurs during meiosis; double.

n.

A pair of homologous, synapsed chromosomes associated together during meiosis.

Other words from bivalent

bi•va′lence null n.

Scientific definitions for bivalence

bivalent
[ bī-vā′lənt ]

Chemistry Having a valence of 2.