valerian

va·le·ri·an

noun \və-ˈlir-ē-ən\

Definition of VALERIAN

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

Origin of VALERIAN

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

First Known Use: 12th century

Rhymes with VALERIAN

Adlerian, Algerian, Assyrian, Chaucerian, Cimmerian, Faulknerian, Forsterian, Hesperian, Hitlerian, Hutterian, Hyperion, Iberian, Illyrian, Keplerian, Liberian, Mahlerian, Mousterian, Nigerian, Pierian, Shakespearean, Siberian, Skinnerian, Spencerian, Spenserian, Spenglerian, Sumerian, Valerian, Wagnerian, Weberian, Whistlerian