polyvalent

Etymology

poly- +‎ -valent

Adjective

polyvalent (comparative more polyvalent, superlative most polyvalent)

1. multivalent; having a number of different forms, purposes, meanings, aspects or principles.
2. (chemistry) Having a high valence, especially more than three
3. (chemistry) Having multiple valencies
4. (biology) Containing antibodies to more than one kind of pathogen

Etymology

from poly- and -valent

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /pɔ.li.va.lɑ̃/

Adjective

polyvalent (feminine singular polyvalente, masculine plural polyvalents, feminine plural polyvalentes)

1. versatile, multipurpose; that has various uses, functions, or capacities

Noun

polyvalent m (plural polyvalents, feminine polyvalente)

1. an employee who carries out various different functions

Further reading

• “polyvalent” in le Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).