quadrivalent adjective & noun.
[esp. Chemistry kwɒdrɪ'veɪl(ǝ)nt, esp. Cytology kwɒ'drɪv(ǝ)l(ǝ)nt] M19.[from QUADRI- + -VALENT.]A. adjective.
1. Chemistry. =
TETRAVALENT.
M19.2. Cytology. That is (part of) a quadrivalent.
L19.b. noun.
1. Chemistry. A quadrivalent element.
rare. Only in
L19.2. Cytology. A multivalent consisting of four chromosomes.
E20. ■ quadrivalence noun E20. ■ quadrivalency noun M20. [TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲