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

Example sentences from the Web for bivalent

British Dictionary definitions for bivalent

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 bivalent

bivalent
[ bī-vālənt ]

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•valence null n.

Scientific definitions for bivalent

bivalent
[ bī-vālənt ]

Chemistry Having a valence of 2.