ScienceSeptember 2, 2026
polyvalent
pah-lee-VAY-lent
Definition
Capable of providing protection against multiple different types of pathogens or toxins simultaneously.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek 'polys' meaning 'many' and the Latin 'valentia' meaning 'strength' or 'capacity,' the word originally described chemical atoms with multiple valencies before being adopted into biology to describe vaccines and antivenoms.
In the news
In this article, the term describes a standard Indian antivenom designed to neutralize the toxins of four common snake species at once, which the study finds ineffective against the red-tailed pit viper.
Same Bite, Same Hospital, Different Odds — Depending on Which Snake Found You
Read the full article ↗Futura, le média qui explore le monde