Multivalent

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

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