valerian Hear it!

valerian definition

va·leri·an (və lir′ē ən)

noun

  1. any of a genus (Valeriana) of plants of the valerian family, with clusters or spikes of white, pink, red, or purplish flowers
  2. a drug made from the dried rhizomes and roots of the garden heliotrope, formerly used as a sedative and antispasmodic

Etymology: ME < MFr valériane < ML valeriana, valerian, prob. after Valeria, province in Pannonia, where the plants were grown

adjective

designating a family (Valerianaceae, order Dipsacales) of dicotyledonous plants, chiefly of the Northern Hemisphere, including corn salad and spikenard
Valerian definition

Va·leri·an (və lir′ē ən)

(L. name Publius Licinius Valerianus) 190?-260; Rom. emperor (253-260)

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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