Valentine, val′en-tīn, n. a lover or sweetheart chosen on St Valentine's Day, 14th February: a love-letter or other amatory print sent on that day. [O. Fr. valentin, a young person betrothed on the first Sunday in Lent, perh. from a form valant, equiv. to galant, gallant, but commonly identified with the name of St Valentine, on whose day the choice of valentines came to be made, because birds on that day were supposed to choose their mates.]
Valentinian, val-en-tin′i-an, n. one of a Gnostic sect founded by Valentinus (died c. 160 A.D.).—adj. belonging to the foregoing.—n. Valentin′ianism.
Valerian, va-lē′ri-an, n. the plant all-heal, the root of which is used in medicine.—adj. Val′eric, pertaining to or obtained from the root of valerian. [O. Fr.,—L. valēre, to be strong.]
Valet, val′et, or val′ā, n. a man-servant, esp. one who attends on a gentleman's person.—v.t. to act as valet to.—n. Valet de place, in France, one who offers his services as guide, messenger, &c. for hire, esp. to strangers. [O. Fr.,—vaslet, later also varlet—Low L. vassalettus, dim. of vassalis, a vassal.]
Valetudinarian, val-ē-tū-di-nā′ri-an, adj. pertaining to ill-health: sickly: weak—also Valetū′dinary.—n. a person of weak health.—ns. Valetū′dinariness, Valetūdinā′rianism, the condition of a valetudinarian: weak health; Valetudinā′rium, an ancient Roman hospital. [L. valetudinarius—valetudo, state of health—valēre, to be strong.]
Valgus, val′gus, n. a bow-legged man: a form of club-foot—talipes valgus:—pl. Val′gi (-jī). [L.]
Valhalla, val-hal′la, n. (Scand. myth.) the palace of immortality for the souls of heroes slain in battle: an edifice forming the final resting-place of the heroes of a nation. [Ice. valhöll, 'the hall of the slain'—valr, the slain, conn. with A.S. wæl, slaughter, Ice. höll, hall.]
Valiant, val′yant, adj. strong: brave: intrepid in danger: heroic.—n. (obs.) a valiant person.—ns. Val′iance, Val′iancy.—adv. Val′iantly, bravely.—n. Val′iantness, courage. [Fr. vaillant—L. valens, valentis, pr.p. of valēre, to be strong.]
Valid, val′id, adj. strong: having sufficient strength or force: founded in truth: sound: conclusive: (law) executed with the proper formalities: legal: rightful.—v.t. Val′idate, to confirm, give legal force to: test the validity of.—ns. Validā′tion; Valid′ity.—adv. Val′idly.—n. Val′idness. [Fr.,—L. validus—valēre, to be strong.]
Valise, va-lēs′, n. a travelling bag, generally of leather, opening at the side: a portmanteau. [Fr.,—L. valise (It. valigia, Sp. balija), orig. unknown.]