Dictionary entry

Trivalent

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Triv″a‐lent (?), 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.