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Page 13 of Tropical Algebraic Geometry by Itenberg, Mikhalkin, and Shustin mentions 1-valent vertices, but I haven't been able to find a source that actually defines this term or managed to guess the definition myself. Either a definition or reference would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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    Valency is sometimes used in graph theory to mean the degree of a vertex, i.e. the number of edges incident on it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Degree_%28graph_theory%292010-10-21
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    Thanks. If you want to post that as an answer I can accept it so that this question won't keep popping up on the main page.2010-10-21
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    Somewhat related: in chemistry the concept of "valence" is the number of bonds one can associate to an atom, e.g. carbon has a valence of four since four single bonds can be attached to it. I have a feeling this was borrowed terminology.2010-10-21
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    ...or another way of putting it: carbon is "tetravalent". :)2010-10-21
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    I feel like I should have figured out to manipulate 'valent' to 'valency' but I guess it's clear I'm no English major. This makes me kind of regret dodging intro chemistry all this time. :)2010-10-22

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In graph theory, the valency of a vertex is sometimes used to mean its degree, i.e. the number of edges incident on it. Both Wikipedia and MathWorld mention both terms as synonyms.