Main Entry: va·le·ri·an

Pronunciation: \və-ˈlir-ē-ən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French or Medieval Latin; Anglo-French valeriane, from Medieval Latin valeriana, probably from feminine of valerianus of Valeria, from Valeria, Roman province formerly part of Pannonia

Date: 12th century

1 : any of a genus (Valeriana of the family Valerianaceae, the valerian family) of perennial herbs and shrubs many of which possess medicinal properties
2 : a preparation of the dried rhizome and roots of the garden heliotrope (Valeriana officinalis) used especially formerly as a carminative and sedative