polyvalent

adjective

poly·​va·​lent ˌpä-lē-ˈvā-lənt How to pronounce polyvalent (audio)
also
pə-ˈli-və-lənt How to pronounce polyvalent (audio)
1
: having a chemical valence greater usually than two
2
: effective against, sensitive toward, or counteracting more than one toxin, microorganism, or antigen
polyvalent vaccines

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of polyvalent was in 1866

Dictionary Entries Near polyvalent

Cite this Entry

“Polyvalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polyvalent. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

polyvalent

adjective
poly·​va·​lent ˌpäl-i-ˈvā-lənt How to pronounce polyvalent (audio)
1
a
: having a chemical valence greater usually than two
b
: having variable valence
2
: effective against, sensitive toward, or counteracting more than one exciting agent (as a toxin or antigen)
a polyvalent vaccine
polyvalence noun
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