ETYM From Latin valens, -entis, p. pr. of valere to have power, to be strong. Related to Valiant.
1. (Biology) A relative capacity to unite or react or interact as with antigens or a biological substrate; SYN. valency.
2. (Chemistry) A property of atoms or radicals; their combining power given in terms of the number of hydrogen atoms (or the equivalent); SYN. valency.
The charge on an ion based on the number of electrons transferred or shared within a specific structure.
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Element's power to combine, measured by number of atomic weights of other elements with which the atomic weight of the element will combine.
The combining capacity of an atom or radical, determined by the number of electrons that an atom will add, lose, or share when it reacts with another atom. Elements that lose electrons (such as hydrogen and the metals) have a positive valence; those that add electrons (such as oxygen and other nonmetals) have a negative valence.

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