VALENCES
Noun
valences
plural of valence
Anagrams
• enclaves
Source: Wiktionary
VALENCE
Va"lence, n. Etym: [From L. valens, -entis, p. pr. of valere to have
power, to be strong. See Valiant.] (Chem.)
Definition: The degree of combining power of an atom (or radical) as shown
by the number of atoms of hydrogen (or of other monads, as chlorine,
sodium, etc.) with which it will combine, or for which it can be
substituted, or with which it can be compared; thus, an atom of
hydrogen is a monad, and has a valence of one; the atoms of oxygen,
nitrogen, and carbon are respectively dyads, triads, and tetrads, and
have a valence respectively of two, three, and four.
Note: The valence of certain elements varies in different compounds.
Valence in degree may extend as high as seven or eight, as in the
cases of iodine and osmium respectively. The doctrine of valence has
been of fundamental importance in distinguishing the equivalence from
the atomic weight, and is an essential factor in explaining the
chemical structures of compounds.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition