not homologous; (spec. in Genetics) not a member of a homologous pair of chromosomes.

Cell Biology. That is (part of) a quadrivalent. (See sense B. 2.)

Cytology./juːˈnɪvələnt/. Of a chromosome: remaining unpaired during meiosis. Cf. monovalent, adj. 2.

Biology. Applied to homologous chromosomes united in pairs at the first division of meiosis. Hence as n.

Cell Biology. = multivalent, adj. 2.

Cytology. Of chromosomes: pairing at meiosis, and normally (except in the case of the sex chromosomes of some species) identical in morphology and…

Genetics. Applied to chromosomes that are not paired at meiosis.

Cell Biology. = univalent, adj. 2.

Of different or dissimilar forms. spec.. Cytology. Applied to homologous chromosomes that differ in size or form.

Of the same or similar form. (In sense 1c opposed to homologous; in other senses opposed to heteromorphic… Cytology. Applied to homologous…

Cytology. That is (part of) a trivalent.

Cell Biology. Of, relating to, or designating a multivalent (sense B.).

Cell Biology. That is (part of) a sexivalent (see branch B.). Cf. quadrivalent, adj. 2.

Designating, relating to, or characterized by the condition of having an aneuploid chromosome complement lacking a particular pair or polyploid set…

Genetics. Of a multivalent (multivalent, n.): involving five chromosomes.