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Noun: polyvalency  ,pó-lee'vey-lun(t)-see
  1. (chemistry) the state of having a valence greater than two
    "The element's polyvalency allowed it to form complex compounds";
    - polyvalence, multivalence, multivalency
     
  2. (toxicology) the state of being capable of counteracting more than one toxin, antigen or kind of microorganism
    "The polyvalency of the new antibiotic made it effective against a wide range of bacteria";
    - polyvalence

Derived forms: polyvalencies

Type of: state

Encyclopedia: Polyvalency