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:
valeriansOrigin 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
Valerian Is Also Mentioned In
Find Similar Words
Find similar words to valerian using the buttons below.