Also 7 -cie. [ad. L. (ante- and post-classical) valentia vigor, capacity, f. valēre to be well or strong. Cf. Sp. and Pg. valentia, It. valenza, valenzia.]
† 1. Might, power, strength. Obs.–0
1623. in Cockeram, I.
1656. in Blount.
2. Physics. Energy, active force.
1869. Eng. Mech., 19 Nov., 222/1. The molecule … is therefore a body in which all the attractions or valencies are satisfied, leaving the combined atoms to act as a whole from one centre.
3. Chem. The power or capacity of certain elements to combine with or displace a greater or less number of hydrogen (or other) atoms; atomicity.
Cf. EQUIVALENCY 2 and VALENCE2 3.
1876. Encycl. Brit., V. 473/2. The valency of an element is usually expressed by dashes or Roman numerals placed on the right of its symbol.
a. 1881. Barratt, Phys. Metempiric, 65. I think it will probably be eventually found that the atoms of high ‘atomicity’ or valency are really molecules.
1894. Athenæum, 14 April, 481/1. The valencies and atomic weights in some cases need correction.
b. A unit of this capacity. Usu. in pl.
1891. Cent. Dict., s.v., Carbon is said to have four valencies.
4. Importance, significance.
1897. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., III. 166. These two conditions … are by no means of identical pathological valency.
