valence

va·lence   (vā'ləns)    n.   pl. va·lenc·es also va·len·cies Chemistry The combining capacity of an atom or radical determined by the number of electrons that it will lose, add, or share when it reacts with other atoms. A positive or negative integer used to represent this capacity: The valences of copper are 1 and 2. The number of binding sites of a molecule, such as an antibody or antigen. The ability of a substance to interact with another or to produce an effect. Psychology The degree of attraction or aversion that an individual feels toward a specific object or event. Linguistics The number of arguments that a lexical item, especially a verb, can combine with to make a syntactically well-formed sentence, often along with a description of the categories of those constituents. Intransitive verbs (appear, arrive) have a valence of one—the subject; some transitive verbs (paint, touch), two—the subject and direct object; other transitive verbs (ask, give), three—the subject, direct object, and indirect object. The capacity of something to unite, react, or interact with something else: "I do not claim to know much more about novels than the writing of them, but I cannot imagine one set in the breathing world which lacks any moral valence" (Robert Stone). [Latin valentia, capacity, from valēns, valent-, present participle of valēre, to be strong; see wal- in Indo-European roots.]

valence [(vay-luhns)]

A number characterizing an atom, equal to the number of valence electrons.

valence 

Main Entry: va·lence
Pronunciation: 'vA-l&n(t)s
Function: noun
1 a : the degree of combining power of an element or radical as shown bythe number of atomic weights of a monovalent element (as hydrogen) with which the atomic weight of the element or the partial molecular weight of the radical will combine or for which it can besubstituted or with which it can be compared b : a unit of valence valences of carbon>
2 a : relative capacity to unite, react, orinteract (as with antigens or a biological substrate) b : the degree of attractiveness an individual, activity, or object possesses as a behavioral goal valences of success and failure —Leon Festinger>

valence va·lence (vā'ləns) or va·len·cy (-lən-sē)
n.

1. The combining capacity of an atom or a radical determined by the number of electrons that it will lose, add, or share when it reacts with other atoms.

2. A positive or negative integer used to represent this capacity.

3. The number of components of an antigen molecule to which an antibody molecule can bind.

4. The attraction or aversion that an individual feels toward a specific object or event.

Valence

town, capital of Drome departement, Rhone-Alpes region, southeastern France. Valence lies on the left bank of the Rhone River. Built on a succession of terraces bordering the Rhone, the town is dominated by the ancient Cathedral of Saint-Apollinaire, which was consecrated by Pope Urban II in 1095 and completed early in the 12th century. Damage done to the cathedral during the Wars of Religion (1569-98) was repaired in the 17th century. The Champ de Mars, a vast esplanade south of the cathedral, offers a fine view of the Rhone River valley. Valence probably became a bishopric in the 4th century and was ruled by its bishops until Louis XI in 1450 persuaded them to give up their temporal power in exchange for royal protection and a university (suppressed after the French Revolution).

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