Definition of "multivalent"

multivalent

adjective
comparative more multivalent, superlative most multivalent
1. (chemistry) Having more than one valency or having a valency greater than 3; polyvalent.
2. (genetics) Having three or more homologous chromosomes during the first division of meiosis.
3. (immunology) Having more than one attachment site for an antibody or antigen.
4. (grammar) Able to bind to different parts of speech.
  Quotations
  This procedure can be justified by considering the difficult word or compound as a separate part of a sentence of which the (verbal) adjective is the multivalent predicate, i.e. able to bind more than one part of speech.
  1993, Vienna Journal of South Asian Studies - Volume 37, page 83
  In general terms, each of the causative suffixes derives a multivalent verb having the meaning 'to cause/make to V', where V is a variable standing for the verbal action of the base.
  2016, Chris Rogers, The Use and Development of the Xinkan Languages, page 125
5. (art) Having many kinds of value.
6. Having many meanings.
noun
plural multivalents
1. (genetics) Any multivalent chromosome.