-valences-

n. (Chem.) The quality of being bivalent. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. équivalence, LL. aequivalentia. ] 1. The condition of being equivalent or equal; equality of worth, value, signification, or force; as, an equivalence of definitions. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Equal power or force; equivalent amount. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Chem.) (a) The quantity of the combining power of an atom, expressed in hydrogen units; the number of hydrogen atoms can combine with, or be exchanged for; valency. See Valence. (b) The degree of combining power as determined by relative weight. See Equivalent, n., 2. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To be equivalent or equal to; to counterbalance. [ R. ] Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Same as Equivalence. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. Lack of prevalence. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) Quality, state, or degree, of a multivalent element, atom, or radical. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. praevalentia: cf. F. prévalence. See Prevail. ] The quality or condition of being prevalent; superior strength, force, or influence; general existence, reception, or practice; wide extension; as, the prevalence of virtue, of a fashion, or of a disease; the prevalence of a rumor. [ 1913 Webster ]

The duke better knew what kind of argument were of prevalence with him. Clarendon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Prevalence. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) The quality or state of being quadrivalent; tetravalence. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. quantus how much + E. valence. ] (Chem.) Valence. [ Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) The quality or state of being tetravalent; quadrivalence. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) The quality or state of being trivalent. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) The quality or state of being univalent. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From L. valens, -entis, p. pr. of valere to have power, to be strong. See Valiant. ] (Chem.) The degree of combining power of an atom (or radical) as shown by the number of atoms of hydrogen (or of other monads, as chlorine, sodium, etc.) with which it will combine, or for which it can be substituted, or with which it can be compared; thus, an atom of hydrogen is a monad, and has a valence of one; the atoms of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon are respectively dyads, triads, and tetrads, and have a valence respectively of two, three, and four. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The valence of certain elements varies in different compounds. Valence in degree may extend as high as seven or eight, as in the cases of iodine and osmium respectively. The doctrine of valence has been of fundamental importance in distinguishing the equivalence from the atomic weight, and is an essential factor in explaining the chemical structures of compounds. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Perhaps fr. Valence in France. ] A kind of woven fabric for waistcoats, having the weft of wool and the warp of silk or cotton. [ Written also valentia. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

[ F.; -- so called after the town of Valenciennes. ] A rich kind of lace made at Valenciennes, in France. Each piece is made throughout, ground and pattern, by the same person and with the same thread, the pattern being worked in the net. [ 1913 Webster ]