What is Denticity?

The denticity of a ligand is the number of its atoms bound to the same central atom. A monodentate ligand binds through one atom ($\ce{H2O}$, $\ce{NH3}$, $\ce{Cl-}$, $\ce{CO}$), a bidentate ligand through two (ethane-1,2-diamine, written en; the ethanedioate ion, ox). A bridging ligand binds to two metal atoms at once. An ambidentate ligand can bind through either of two different atoms, such as the nitrite ion (through N or O) or thiocyanate (through S or N).