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Pronunciation: vā′lĕns, -len-sē
Definition: The combining power of one atom of an element (or a radical), that of the hydrogen atom being the unit of comparison, determined by the number of electrons in the outer shell of the atom (v. electrons); in HCl, chlorine is monovalent; in H2O, oxygen is bivalent; in NH3, nitrogen is trivalent.
[L. valentia, strength]
Examples: glitazone, GI cocktail, etc.
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