competent
Definition: (adjective) having the skill and knowledge needed for a particular task; capable
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va·lence
 (v   l  ns)
KEY
also
va·len·cy
(-l n-s  )
KEY
NOUN:
pl.
val·lenc·es
, also
val·len·cies
-
Chemistry
- The combining capacity of an atom or radical determined by the number of electrons that it will lose, add, or share when it reacts with other atoms.
- A positive or negative integer used to represent this capacity:
The valences of copper are 1 and 2.
- The number of binding sites of a molecule, such as an antibody or antigen.
- The ability of a substance to interact with another or to produce an effect.
-
Psychology
The degree of attraction or aversion that an individual feels toward a specific object or event.
-
Linguistics
The number of arguments that a lexical item, especially a verb, can combine with to make a syntactically well-formed sentence, often along with a description of the categories of those constituents. Intransitive verbs (appear, arrive) have a valence of one
 the subject; some transitive verbs (paint, touch), twothe subject and direct object; other transitive verbs (ask, give), threethe subject, direct object, and indirect object.
- The capacity of something to unite, react, or interact with something else:
"I do not claim to know much more about novels than the writing of them, but I cannot imagine one set in the breathing world which lacks any moral valence"
(Robert Stone).
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin valentia, capacity, from valns
, valent- present participle of valre, to be strong; see wal- in Indo-European roots
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