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valerian
(və lir′ē ən)
noun
- any of a genus (Valeriana) of plants of the valerian family, with clusters or spikes of white, pink, red, or purplish flowers
- a drug made from the dried rhizomes and roots of the garden heliotrope, formerly used as a sedative and antispasmodic
Origin: 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
(L. name Publius Licinius Valerianus) 190?-260; Rom. emperor (253-260)
See valerian in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- A plant of the genus Valeriana, especially V. officinalis, native to Eurasia and widely cultivated for its small, fragrant, white to pink or lavender flowers and for use in medicine.
- The dried rhizomes of this plant, used medicinally as a sedative.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English
Origin: , from Old French valeriane
Origin: , from Medieval Latin valeriāna
Origin: , probably from feminine of Latin Valeriānus, of Valeria, Roman province where the plant originated
.
Emperor of Rome (253-260) whose reign was marked by military and financial troubles. He was defeated by Persian forces (260) and died in captivity.
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