[ad. L. valentia; see VALENCY.]

1

  † 1.  An extract or preparation (of some herb) used in medicine. Obs.

2

c. 1425.  trans. Arderne’s Treat. Fistula, etc., 69. Þis medicyne is called tapsi ualencia…; in þe brissing … putte in litel bi litel of oile of rose, or violet, or camamille, þat þe valence may competently imbibe it. Ibid., 98. Þis medyc[in]e is called Valence of scabious for þe valow of it. Ibid. Valence of wormode is þus made.

3

  † 2.  Valor, courage; = VALIANCE 1. Obs.

4

a. 1604.  Hanmer, Chron. Irel. (1633), 172. For his valence, he was called Cœur de Lyon, the Lyons heart.

5

  3.  Chem. = VALENCY 3. (See also quot. 1902.) Cf. EQUIVALENCE 2 and QUANTIVALENCE.

6

1884.  American, VIII. 300. To what extent is the Hypothesis of ‘Valence’ or ‘Atomicity’ of Value in explaining Chemical Reactions.

7

1902.  Fortn. Rev., June, 1018. Meanwhile, it is clear that the ‘valence,’ the number of electrical charges [in poisons], plays an important part.

8