1. The quality or state of having a valence of two; the capacity of an atom or radical to form two chemical bonds.
Usage: chemistry; also called bivalency

Examples

• Oxygen exhibits divalency in most of its compounds.
• The divalency of sulfur allows it to bond with two other atoms.
• Carbon's ability to form four bonds contrasts with the divalency of magnesium.
• In water, oxygen's divalency is demonstrated by its two bonds to hydrogen atoms.
• The divalency of calcium makes it an important element in biological systems.