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Glite Dictionary
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polyvalency

polyvalency

9.9
The ability of a medicine to protect against several different toxins or germs
  • noun
  • /ˌpɒliˈveɪlənsi/
  • Specialized
translation icon : polivalencia
  • The polyvalency of this antivenom makes it effective against bites from several snake species.

Examples

  • The polyvalency of the vaccine allows it to target multiple strains of the virus.

  • Researchers are developing drugs with increased polyvalency to treat a broader range of infections.

  • Because of its polyvalency, the vaccine provides protection against multiple strains of the virus.

  • Researchers are studying the polyvalency of new antivenoms.

  • Because of its polyvalency, the vaccine provides protection against multiple strains of the virus.

  • The polyvalency of this antivenom makes it effective against bites from several snake species.

  • Researchers are developing drugs with increased polyvalency to treat a broader range of infections.

Synonyms

polyvalence
vspolyvalency
  • Specialized
9.9

A medicine like a vaccine that works against several different germs and poisons

is the same meaning but appears as a different variant form
valency
vspolyvalency
  • UK
9.8

The number of different molecules a biological molecule can react with or the number of antigens in a vaccine

focuses specifically on neutralizing multiple harmful agents rather than general reactivity

How Many

polyvalency
  • Specialized
9.9
tetravalent
  • Specialized
9.7
valence
  • Specialized
9.5
trivalent
  • Specialized
1 8.6
bivalence
  • Specialized
9.8

Surface Forms

polyvalency singular
polyvalencies plural

Morphology

polyvalency = valency (semi-transparent) = poly + valency

The meaning is still compositional, but this sense is a specialized scientific extension of the idea of multiple valencies rather than a fully everyday interpretation.

Etymology

Polyvalency comes from poly- 'many', as in polygon which has many sides, and valency meaning 'ability or power to act'. So in medicine polyvalency means a vaccine or antivenom can work against many different poisons or germs.