Sexavalent

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Having a valence of six, meaning an atom or ion can form six chemical bonds with other elements
2. Capable of bonding with six other atoms or groups, as shown by a valence of six in chemical reactions
3. Possessing a valence state of six, allowing an element to combine with six monovalent atoms or their equivalent

Etymology: "Sexavalent" is a chemistry term for an element or group with a valence of six, meaning it can form six bonds. It is built from the Latin-derived prefix "sexa-", meaning six, joined to "-valent", from Latin "valens" (having strength or power), which chemists adopted to describe combining capacity. The result is a plain technical coinage rather than an ancient word. The word is a near-twin of "hexavalent", which uses the Greek-derived prefix "hexa-" for the same number. Two words for one idea, each taking its number from a different classical language, are known as doublets, and English chemistry is full of them. Because "sexa-" and "hexa-" are both in use, the two forms have divided the job between them in different corners of the literature, though "hexavalent" is far more common.

Synonyms: hexavalent