English dictionary
valence
nounPronunciation
/ˈveɪləns/
/ˈvæləns/
Audio pronunciation
Parts of speech
Definitions
noun
- An extract; a preparation, now especially one effective against a certain number of strains of a pathogen.
- The combining capacity of an atom, radical or functional group determined by the number of electrons that it will lose, gain, or share when it combines with other atoms etc.
- The number of binding sites of a molecule, such as an antibody or antigen.
- The number of arguments that a verb can have, including its subject, ranging from zero (for the likes of "It rains") to three (for the likes of "He gives her a flower") or, less commonly, four.
- A one-dimensional value assigned to an object, situation, or state, that can usually be positive or negative.
- Value.
noun
- A short curtain that usually hangs along the top edge of a window.
- A decorative framework used to conceal the curtain mechanism and so on at the top of a window.
- (bedding) A short, decorative edging of cloth that hangs from the mattress to the floor.
- The drooping edging of the lid of a trunk, which covers the joint when the lid is closed.
Example sentences
The number of bonds that a verb has constitutes what we will call the valence of the verb.
anger and fear have negative valence