valency
/ˈveɪl(ə)nsi
/noun (plural valencies)
1 Chemistry, chiefly British The combining power of an element, especially as measured by the number of hydrogen atoms it can displace or combine with: carbon always has a valency of 4...Compare with valence1.
- The degree of flocculation, and hence randomness of particle orientations on sedimentation, generally increases with the concentration and valency of the cations in the solution.
- It is well-known that aggregation can be induced by changes in pH, the salt concentration, valency of ions, or the polarity of the solvent.
- Depending on the charges of additional groups that may be bound to the phosphate group, phospholipids in water can have a valency between - 2 and + 1, and also neutral groups are possible.
1.1 Linguistics The number of grammatical elements with which a particular word, especially a verb, combines in a sentence: ‘give’ has a valency of three in ‘I (1) gave it (2) to him (3)’...
- The purpose of this paper is to study the factors involved in the changing valency of the reflexes of ABHORRERE / ABHORRESCERE in Castilian, ie aborrir ~ aburrir and aborre cer.
Origin
Early 17th century: from late Latin valentia 'power, competence', from valere 'be well or strong'.