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A.Word.A.Day--polyvalent polyvalent (pol-ee-VAY-luhnt) adjective 1. Having many layers, meanings, values, etc.; multifaceted. 2. (In chemistry) Having multiple valences. 3. (In medicine or biology) Effective against multiple agents. [From poly- (many) + -valent (having a valence), from Latin valere (to be strong). Ultimately, it derives from the same Indo-European root wal- (to be strong) as the words valiant, avail, valor, value, valetudinarian, countervail, and wieldy.] Look up polyvalent in Visual Thesaurus. "A native of Port-au-Prince, he (Jean-Claude Garoute) began his career as a child. He developed as a polyvalent artist, working in various media and developing teaching techniques." Alva James-Johnson; Haitian Renders Nation's History And Culture in Art; South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Florida); Apr 29, 2004. "A team of polyvalent German women has won in all four World Cup disciplines, with Seizinger alone winning eight races in downhill, super-G and giant slalom." Philip Hersh; The Contenders Tribune; Chicago Tribune; Feb 6, 1998. X-Bonus Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race. -H.G. Wells, writer (1866-1946)

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