n. 1. mixed feelings or emotions; uncertainty or vacillation in making a choice. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

2. (Psychol.) the simultaneous existence within a person of both positive and negative feelings toward another person or action, or toward an object (as of attraction and revulsion), resulting in internal conflict. [ PJC ]

adj. 1. 1 undecided as to whether or not to take a proposed course of action; having feelings both for and against the proposed action.
Syn. -- on the fence(predicate), suspensive, uncertain [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. (Chem.) The quality of being bivalent. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. bis twice + valens, p. pr. See Valence. ] (Chem.) Equivalent in combining or displacing power to two atoms of hydrogen; dyad. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pref. di- + L. valens, valentis, p. pr. See Valence. ] (Chem.) Having two units of combining power; bivalent. Cf. Valence. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. équivalence, LL. aequivalentia. ] 1. The condition of being equivalent or equal; equality of worth, value, signification, or force; as, an equivalence of definitions. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Equal power or force; equivalent amount. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Chem.) (a) The quantity of the combining power of an atom, expressed in hydrogen units; the number of hydrogen atoms can combine with, or be exchanged for; valency. See Valence. (b) The degree of combining power as determined by relative weight. See Equivalent, n., 2. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To be equivalent or equal to; to counterbalance. [ R. ] Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Same as Equivalence. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. aequivalens, -entis, p. pr. of aequivalere to have equal power; aequus equal + valere to be strong, be worth: cf. F. équivalent. See Equal, and Valiant. ] 1. Equal in worth or value, force, power, effect, import, and the like; alike in significance and value; of the same import or meaning. [ 1913 Webster ]

For now to serve and to minister, servile and ministerial, are terms equivalent. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Geom.) Equal in measure but not admitting of superposition; -- applied to magnitudes; as, a square may be equivalent to a triangle. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Geol.) Contemporaneous in origin; as, the equivalent strata of different countries. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Something equivalent; that which is equal in value, worth, weight, or force; as, to offer an equivalent for damage done. [ 1913 Webster ]

He owned that, if the Test Act were repealed, the Protestants were entitled to some equivalent. . . . During some weeks the word equivalent, then lately imported from France, was in the mouths of all the coffeehouse orators. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Chem.) That comparative quantity by weight of an element which possesses the same chemical value as other elements, as determined by actual experiment and reference to the same standard. Specifically: (a) The comparative proportions by which one element replaces another in any particular compound; thus, as zinc replaces hydrogen in hydrochloric acid, their equivalents are 32.5 and 1. (b) The combining proportion by weight of a substance, or the number expressing this proportion, in any particular compound; as, the equivalents of hydrogen and oxygen in water are respectively 1 and 8, and in hydric dioxide 1 and 16. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This term was adopted by Wollaston to avoid using the conjectural expression atomic weight, with which, however, for a time it was practically synonymous. The attempt to limit the term to the meaning of a universally comparative combining weight failed, because of the possibility of several compounds of the substances by reason of the variation in combining power which most elements exhibit. The equivalent was really identical with, or a multiple of submultiple of, the atomic weight. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Chem.) A combining unit, whether an atom, a radical, or a molecule; as, in acid salt two or more equivalents of acid unite with one or more equivalents of base. [ 1913 Webster ]

Mechanical equivalent of heat (Physics), originally defined as the number of units of work which the unit of heat can perform, equivalent to the mechanical energy which must be expended to raise the temperature of a pound of water one degree Fahrenheit; later this value was defined as one British thermal unit (B.t.u). Its value was found by Joule to be 772 foot pounds; later measurements give the value as 777.65 foot-pounds, equivalent to 107.5 kg-meters. This value was originally called Joule's equivalent, but the modern Joule is defined differently, being 107 ergs. The B.t.u. is now given as 1, 054.35 absolute Joules, and therefore 1 calorie (the amount of heat needed to raise one gram of water one degree centigrade) is equivalent to 4.186 Joules. [ 1913 Webster + PJC ]

☞ The original definition of the Mechanical equivalent of heat in the 1913 Webster was as below. The difference between foot pounds and kilogram-meters ("on the centigrade scale") is puzzling as it should be a factor of 7.23, and the figure given for kilogram-meters may be a mistaken misinterpretation of the report. -- PJC:

The number of units of work which the unit of heat can perform; the mechanical energy which must be expended to raise the temperature of a unit weight of water from 0° C. to 1° C., or from 32° F. to 33° F. The term was introduced by Dr. Mayer of Heilbronn. Its value was found by Joule to be 1390 foot pounds upon the Centigrade, or 772 foot pounds upon the Fahrenheit, thermometric scale, whence it is often called Joule's equivalent, and represented by the symbol J. This is equal to 424 kilogram meters (Centigrade scale). A more recent determination by Professor Rowland gives the value 426.9 kilogram meters, for the latitude of Baltimore. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

v. t. To make the equivalent to; to equal; equivalence. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an equal manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Hepta- + L. valens, p. pr. See Valence. ] (Chem.) Having seven units of attractive force or affinity; -- said of heptad elements or radicals. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Hexa- + L. valens, -entis, p. pr. See Valence. ] (Chem.) Having a valence of six; -- said of hexads. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. Lack of prevalence. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Mono- + L. valens, p. pr. See Valence. ] (Chem.) Having a valence of one; univalent. See Univalent. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) Quality, state, or degree, of a multivalent element, atom, or radical. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Multi- + L. valens, p. pr. See Valence. ] 1. (Chem.) (a) Having a valence greater than one, as silicon. (b) Having more than one degree of valence, as sulphur. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Immunology) Having multiple antigen-binding sites; -- of antibody molecules. [ PJC ]

3. (Immunology) Containing several types of antibody, to protect against more than one disease; polyvalent; -- of vaccines. [ PJC ]

adj. Not equal or interchangeable in value, quantity, or significance. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. [ Octa- + L. valens, p. pr. See Valence. ] (Chem.) Having a valence of eight; capable of being combined with, exchanged for, or compared with, eight atoms of hydrogen; -- said of certain atoms or radicals. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Omni- + prevalent. ] Prevalent everywhere or in all things. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Penta- + L. valens, p. pr. See Valence. ] (Chem.) Having a valence of five; -- said of certain atoms and radicals. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Poly- + L. valens, p. pr. See Valent. ] (Chem.) Multivalent. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. praevalentia: cf. F. prévalence. See Prevail. ] The quality or condition of being prevalent; superior strength, force, or influence; general existence, reception, or practice; wide extension; as, the prevalence of virtue, of a fashion, or of a disease; the prevalence of a rumor. [ 1913 Webster ]

The duke better knew what kind of argument were of prevalence with him. Clarendon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Prevalence. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. praevalens, -entis, p. pr. of praevalere. See Prevail. ] 1. Gaining advantage or superiority; having superior force, influence, or efficacy; prevailing; predominant; successful; victorious. [ 1913 Webster ]

Brennus told the Roman embassadors, that prevalent arms were as good as any title. Sir W. Raleigh. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Most generally received or current; most widely adopted or practiced; also, generally or extensively existing; widespread; prevailing; as, a prevalent observance; prevalent disease. [ 1913 Webster ]

This was the most received and prevalent opinion. Woodward. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Prevailing; predominant; successful; efficacious; powerful. -- Prevalent, Prevailing. What customarily prevails is prevalent; as, a prevalent fashion. What actually prevails is prevailing; as, the prevailing winds are west. Hence, prevailing is the livelier and more pointed word, since it represents a thing in action. It is sometimes the stronger word, since a thing may prevail sufficiently to be called prevalent, and yet require greater strength to make it actually prevailing. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a prevalent manner. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) The quality or state of being quadrivalent; tetravalence. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Quadri- + L. valens, -entis, p. pr. See Valence. ] (Chem.) Having a valence of four; capable of combining with, being replaced by, or compared with, four monad atoms; tetravalent; -- said of certain atoms and radicals; thus, carbon and silicon are quadrivalent elements. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. quantus how much + E. valence. ] (Chem.) Valence. [ Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Chem.) Of or pertaining to quantivalence. [ Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Quinque- + L. valens, -entis, p. pr. See Valence. ] (Chem.) Same as Pentavalent. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. See Sexivalent. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Sex- + L. valens, p. pr. See Valence. ] (hem.) Hexavalent. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) The quality or state of being tetravalent; quadrivalence. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Tetra- + L. valens, -entis, p. pr. ] (Chem.) Having a valence of four; tetratomic; quadrivalent. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) The quality or state of being trivalent. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pref. tri- + L. valens, -entis, p. pr. See Valence. ] (Chem.) Having a valence of three; capable of being combined with, substituted for, or compared with, three atoms of hydrogen; -- said of triad atoms or radicals; thus, nitrogen is trivalent in ammonia. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) The quality or state of being univalent. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Uni- + L. valens, -entis, p. pr. See Valence. ] (Chem.) Having a valence of one; capable of combining with, or of being substituted for, one atom of hydrogen; monovalent; -- said of certain atoms and radicals. [ 1913 Webster ]

See obnoxious.
See observable.
See observant.
See obstructive.
See obvious.
See official.
See officious.
See oppressive.
See ordinary.
See ordinate.
See original.
See ornamental.
See orthodox.
See ostentatious.
See pacifiable.
See pacific.
See painful.
See palatable.
See parallelable.
See pardonable.
See partable.
See participant.
See passionate.
See pastoral.
See pathetic.
See patriotic.
See peaceable.
See peaceful.
See pedantic.
See perceivable.
See perceptible.
See perilous.
See permanent.
See personable.
See perspirable.
See persuadable.
See persuasive.
See philanthropic.
See philosophic.
See philosophical.
See physical.
See picturesque.
See pierceable.
See pitiful.
See plain.
See plausible.
See plausive.
See pleadable.
See pleasurable.
See pliable.
See pliant.
See plumb.
See poetic.
See poetical.
See political.
See popular.
See populous.
See portable.
See potable.
See precarious.
See precise.
See pregnant.
See prejudicate.
See prelatical.
See premeditable.
See presentable.
See preservable.
See presumptuous.
See pretentious.
See pretty.
See prevalent.
See priestly.
See primitive.
See princely.
See procurable.
See producible.
See productive.
See professional.
See profitable.
See prolific.
See pronounceable.
See prophetic.
See propitious.
See proportionable.
See proportionate.
See prosperous.
See provable.
See punctilious.
See punctual.
See punishable.
See pure.
See qualifiable.
See quenchable.
See quiet.
See rational.
See readable.
See reasonable.
See recallable.
See reclaimable.
See recognizable.
See reconcilable.
See recoverable.
See recumbent.
See reformable.
See refusable.
See regardable.
See regardant.
See relative.
See relievable.
See reluctant.
See remarkable.
See remediable.
See rememberable.
See remorseful.
See removable.
See remunerative.
See repairable.
See repealable.
See repentant.
See reprovable.
See repugnant.
See requisite.
See requitable.
See resolvable.
See respectable.
See restful.
See retentive.
See returnable.
See revengeful.
See ridable.
See ridiculous.
See rightful.
See romantic.
See rough.
See royal.
See ruinable.
See ruly.
See sacrificial.
See safe.
See sage.
See sailable.
See salable.
See sane.
See sanguine.
See sanitary.
See satisfactory.
See satisfiable.
See saturable.
See savory.
See scalable.
See scaly.
See scholarly.
See scholastic.
See scientific.
See scornful.
See scriptural.
See sculptural.
See seaworthy.
See sectarian.
See secular.
See sedentary.
See selfish.
See sentient.
See sentimental.
See serviceable.
See severe.
See shamefaced.
See shamefast.
See shapely.
See shy.
See sick.
See sicker.
See sightly.
See simple.
See sinewy.
See sizable.
See sleek.
See slumberous.
See sly.
See smooth.
See smotherable.
See smutty.
See sober.
See sociable.
See social.
See solemn.
See soliciutous.
See solvable.
See speakable.
See speedy.
See spiritual.
See spontaneous.
See sportful.
See sportsmanlike.
See statutable.
See steadfast.
See steady.
See stormy.
See stout.
See strong.
See subduable.
See subject.
See submissive.
See subordinate.
See substantial.
See successive.
See succorable.
See suggestive.
See suitable.
See sunny.
See superfluous.
See supple.
See sure.
See surpassable.
See susceptible.
See suspect.
See suspectable.
See suspicious.
See sustainable.
See sweet.
See syllogistical.
See symbolic.
See sympathetic.
See systematic.
See tamable.
See tame.
See teachable.
See technical.
See tellable.
See tenable.
See tender.
See terrestrial.
See terrific.
See thankful.
See theological.
See thinkable.
See thirsty.
See thorny.
See thoughtful.
See tidy.
See tillable.
See toothsome.
See touchable.
See traceable.
See tractable.
See tragic.
See tranquil.
See transferable.
See translatable.
See transmutable.
See transparent.
See transpassable.
See traversable.
See tremulous.
See trimphant.
See trustworthy.
See trusty.
See tumultous.
See tunable.
See uniform.
See usable.
See useful.
See vanquishable.
See variant.
See venerable.
See venomous.
See veracious.
See verdant.
See veritable.
See vigilant.
See vigorous.
See virtuous.
See vital.
See vitrifiable.
See vocal.
See voidable.
See voluptuous.
See voyageable.
See vulgar.
See walkable.
See warlike.
See watchful.
See watery.
See wealthy.
See wearable.
See weary.
See welcome.
See wet.
See wholesome.
See wieldsome.
See willful.
See wily.
See witty.
See womanly.
See workable.
See workmanlike.
See worldly.
See worshipful.
See wrathful.
See writable.
See zealous.
------ and the like.
[ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From L. valens, -entis, p. pr. of valere to have power, to be strong. See Valiant. ] (Chem.) 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Perhaps fr. Valence in France. ] A kind of woven fabric for waistcoats, having the weft of wool and the warp of silk or cotton. [ Written also valentia. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

[ F.; -- so called after the town of Valenciennes. ] A rich kind of lace made at Valenciennes, in France. Each piece is made throughout, ground and pattern, by the same person and with the same thread, the pattern being worked in the net. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Valencies (Chem.) (a) See Valence. (b) A unit of combining power; a so-called bond of affinity. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Valencia. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A sweetheart chosen on St. Valentine's Day. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A letter containing professions of love, or a missive of a sentimental, comic, or burlesque character, sent on St. Valentine's Day. [ 1913 Webster ]

St. Valentine's Day, a day sacred to St. Valentine; the 14th of February. It was a very old notion, alluded to by Shakespeare, that on this day birds begin to mate. Hence, perhaps, arose the custom of sending love tokens at that time. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Eccl. Hist.) One of a school of Judaizing Gnostics in the second century; -- so called from Valentinus, the founder. [ 1913 Webster ]