Background for valences

valences

/ˈveɪlənsɪz/ /ˈveɪlənˌsiz/

Illustration valences - Image 1

noun

A short curtain that usually hangs along the top edge of a window.

Examples :

"The seamstress carefully adjusted the valences above the living room windows to ensure they hung evenly. "

property architecture style

Illustration valences - Image 1

noun

A decorative framework used to conceal the curtain mechanism and so on at the top of a window.

Examples :

"The floral-patterned valences hid the plain metal track holding the curtains, adding a touch of elegance to the living room window. "

architecture building property style appearance

Illustration valences - Image 1

noun

(bedding) A short, decorative edging of cloth that hangs from the mattress to the floor.

Examples :

"The dust ruffle, or valences, around the bed hid the storage boxes underneath. "

style item building

Illustration valences - Image 1

noun

The drooping edging of the lid of a trunk, which covers the joint when the lid is closed.

Examples :

"The old trunk's valences were torn and frayed, no longer completely hiding the gap where the lid met the body. "

architecture part item

Illustration valences - Image 1

noun

An extract; a preparation, now especially one effective against a certain number of strains of a pathogen.

Examples :

"The flu vaccine contains several valences, protecting you against multiple strains of the influenza virus expected to be prevalent this season. "

medicine virus biology biochemistry

Illustration valences - Image 1

noun

The combining capacity of an atom, radical or functional group determined by the number of electrons that it will lose, gain, or share when it combines with other atoms etc.

Examples :

"The different valences of hydrogen (valence of 1) and oxygen (valence of 2) explain why water is H₂O, not HO or H₃O. "

chemistry physics element compound science

Illustration valences - Image 1

noun

The number of binding sites of a molecule, such as an antibody or antigen.

Examples :

"The antibody's valences, numbering two, allow it to bind to two different antigens simultaneously. "

medicine biochemistry biology chemistry

Illustration valences - Image 1

noun

The number of arguments that a verb can have, including its subject, ranging from zero (for the likes of "It rains") to three (for the likes of "He gives her a flower") or, less commonly, four.

Examples :

"The number of bonds that a verb has constitutes what we will call the valence of the verb."

grammar linguistics language word

Illustration valences - Image 1

noun

A one-dimensional value assigned to an object, situation, or state, that can usually be positive or negative.

Examples :

"anger and fear have negative valence"

attitude value mind situation

Illustration valences - Image 1

noun

Examples :

"Each candidate in the student election has to explain the valences of their proposed policies, demonstrating their positive or negative impact on the student body. "