Valerian Definition

və-lîrē-ən
noun
Any of a genus (Valeriana) of plants of the valerian family, with clusters or spikes of white, pink, red, or purplish flowers.
Webster's New World
A drug made from the dried rhizomes and roots of the garden heliotrope: used, esp. formerly, as a sedative and antispasmodic.
Webster's New World
adjective
Designating a family (Valerianaceae, order Dipsacales) of dicotyledonous plants, chiefly of the Northern Hemisphere, including corn salad and spikenard.
Webster's New World
pronoun

A Roman cognomen, notably borne by Publius Licinius Valerianus, a Roman emperor.

Wiktionary
A Russian male given name.
Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Valerian

Noun

Singular:
valerian
Plural:
valerians

Origin of Valerian

  • Middle English from Old French valeriane from Medieval Latin valeriāna probably from feminine of Latin Valeriānus , of Valeria, Roman province where the plant originated

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Old French valeriane or mediaeval Latin valeriana, from the personal name Valerius.

    From Wiktionary

  • From Russian Валериа́н (Valerián).

    From Wiktionary

  • From Latin Valerianus.

    From Wiktionary

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