Valedictorian - Value

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Valedictorian (?), n. One who pronounces a valedictory address; especially, in American colleges, the student who pronounces the valedictory of the graduating class at the annual commencement, usually the student who ranks first in scholarship.
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Valedictory (?), a. Bidding farewell; suitable or designed for an occasion of leave-taking; as, a valedictory oration.
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Valedictory, n.; pl. Valedictories (�). A valedictory oration or address spoken at commencement in American colleges or seminaries by one of the graduating class, usually by the leading scholar.
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Valence (?), n. [From L. valens, -entis, p. pr. of valere to have power, to be strong. See .] (Chem.) The degree of combining power of an atom (or radical) as shown by the number of atoms of hydrogen (or of other monads, as chlorine, sodium, etc.) with which it will combine, or for which it can be substituted, or with which it can be compared; thus, an atom of hydrogen is a monad, and has a valence of one; the atoms of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon are respectively dyads, triads, and tetrads, and have a valence respectively of two, three, and four.
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☞ The valence of certain elements varies in different compounds. Valence in degree may extend as high as seven or eight, as in the cases of iodine and osmium respectively. The doctrine of valence has been of fundamental importance in distinguishing the equivalence from the atomic weight, and is an essential factor in explaining the chemical structures of compounds.
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Valencia (?), n. [Perhaps fr. Valence in France.] A kind of woven fabric for waistcoats, having the weft of wool and the warp of silk or cotton. [Written also valentia.]
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Valenciennes lace (?). [F.; -- so called after the town of Valenciennes.] A rich kind of lace made at Valenciennes, in France. Each piece is made throughout, ground and pattern, by the same person and with the same thread, the pattern being worked in the net.
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Valency (?), n.; pl. Valencies (�). (Chem.) (a) See . (b) A unit of combining power; a so-called bond of affinity.
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Valentia (?), n. See .
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Valentine (?), n. 1. A sweetheart chosen on St. Valentine's Day.
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2. A letter containing professions of love, or a missive of a sentimental, comic, or burlesque character, sent on St. Valentine's Day.
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Coloq. St. Valentine's Day , a day sacred to St. Valentine; the 14th of February. It was a very old notion, alluded to by Shakespeare, that on this day birds begin to mate. Hence, perhaps, arose the custom of sending love tokens at that time.
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Valentinian (?), n. (Eccl. Hist.) One of a school of Judaizing Gnostics in the second century; -- so called from Valentinus, the founder.
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Valeramide (?), n. [Valeric + amide.] (Chem.) The acid amide derivative of valeric acid, obtained as a white crystalline substance.
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Valerate (?), n. (Chem.) A salt of valeric acid.
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Valerian (?), n. [LL. valeriana, perhaps from some person named Valerius, or fr. L. valere to be strong. powerful, on account of its medicinal virtues: cf. F. valériane.] (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Valeriana. The root of the officinal valerian (Valeriana officinalis) has a strong smell, and is much used in medicine as an antispasmodic.
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Coloq. Greek valerian (Bot.), a plant (Polemonium cæruleum) with blue or white flowers, and leaves resembling those of the officinal valerian.
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Valerianaceous (?), a. (Bot.) Of, pertaining to, or resembling, plants of a natural order (Valerianaceæ) of which the valerian is the type. The order includes also the corn salads and the oriental spikenard.
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Valerianate (?), n. (Chem.) A valerate.
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Valerianic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or obtained from, valerian root; specifically, designating an acid which is usually called valeric acid.
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Valeric (?), a. (Chem.) Valerianic; specifically, designating any one of three metameric acids, of which the typical one (called also inactive valeric acid), C4H9CO2H, is obtained from valerian root and other sources, as a corrosive, mobile, oily liquid, having a strong acid taste, and an odor of old cheese.
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Coloq. Active valeric acid , a metameric variety which turns the plane of polarization to the right, although formed by the oxidation of a levorotatory amyl alcohol.
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Valeridine (?), n. (Chem.) A base, C10H19N, produced by heating valeric aldehyde with ammonia. It is probably related to the conine alkaloids.
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Valerin (?), n. [Valeric + glycerin.] (Chem.) A salt of valeric acid with glycerin, occurring in butter, dolphin oil, etc., and forming an oily liquid with a slightly unpleasant odor.
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Valeritrine (?), n. [Valeric + tropine + -ine.] (Chem.) A base, C15H27N, produced together with valeridine, which it resembles.
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Valero-. (Chem.) A combining form (also used adjectively) indicating derivation from, or relation to, valerian or some of its products, as valeric acid; as in valerolactone, a colorless oily liquid produced as the anhydride of an hydroxy valeric acid.
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Valerone (?), n. (Chem.) A ketone of valeric acid obtained as an oily liquid.
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Valeryl (?), n. [Valeric + -yl.] (Chem.) The hypothetical radical C5H9O, regarded as the essential nucleus of certain valeric acid derivatives.
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Valerylene (?), n. (Chem.) A liquid hydrocarbon, C5H8; -- called also pentine.
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Valet (vălĕt or văl�; 277), n. [F. valet, OF. vallet, varlet, vaslet. See , and .] 1. A male waiting servant; a servant who attends on a gentleman's person; a body servant.
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2. (Man.) A kind of goad or stick with a point of iron.
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Coloq. Valet de chambre (�) [F.], a body servant, or personal attendant.
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Valetudinarian (?), a. [L. valetudinarius, from valetudo state of health, health, ill health, fr. valere to be strong or well: cf. F. valétudinaire. See .] Of infirm health; seeking to recover health; sickly; weakly; infirm.
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My feeble health and valetudinarian stomach. Coleridge.
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The virtue which the world wants is a healthful virtue, not a valetudinarian virtue. Macaulay.
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Valetudinarian, n. A person of a weak or sickly constitution; one who is seeking to recover health.
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Valetudinarians must live where they can command and scold. Swift.
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Valetudinarianism (?), n. The condition of a valetudinarian; a state of feeble health; infirmity.
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Valetudinary (?), a. Infirm; sickly; valetudinarian. -- Valetudinariness, n.
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It renders the habit of society dangerously valetudinary. Burke.
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Valetudinary, n. A valetudinarian.
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Valetudinous (?), a. Valetudinarian. [Obs.] “The valetudinous condition of King Edward.” Fuller.
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Valhalla (?), n. [Icel. valhöll, literally, hall of the slain; valr the slain (akin to AS. wæl, OHG. wal battlefield, wuol defeat, slaughter, AS. wōl pestilence) + höll a royal hall. See , and cf. .] [Written also walhalla.]
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1. (Scand. Myth.) The palace of immortality, inhabited by the souls of heroes slain in battle.
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2. Fig.: A hall or temple adorned with statues and memorials of a nation's heroes; specifically, the Pantheon near Ratisbon, in Bavaria, consecrated to the illustrious dead of all Germany.
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{ Valiance (?), Valiancy (?), } n. [Cf. F. vaillance. See .] The quality or state of being valiant; bravery; valor. [Obs.] “His doughty valiance.” Spenser.
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Valiant (?), a. [OE. valiant, F. vaillant, OF. vaillant, valant, originally p. pr. of OF. & F. valoir to be worth, L. valere to be strong. See , and cf. , , , , .]
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1. Vigorous in body; strong; powerful; as, a valiant fencer. [Obs.] Walton.
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2. Intrepid in danger; courageous; brave.
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A valiant and most expert gentleman. Shak.
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And Saul said to David . . . be thou valiant for me, and fight the Lord's battles. 1 Sam. xviii. 17.
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3. Performed with valor or bravery; heroic. “Thou bearest the highest name for valiant acts.” Milton.
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[The saints] have made such valiant confessions. J. H. Newman.
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-- Valiantly, adv. -- Valiantness, n.
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Valid (?), a. [F. valide, L. validus strong, from valere to be strong. See .]
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1. Strong; powerful; efficient. [Obs.] “Perhaps more valid arms . . . may serve to better us.” Milton.
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2. Having sufficient strength or force; founded in truth; capable of being justified, defended, or supported; not weak or defective; sound; good; efficacious; as, a valid argument; a valid objection.
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An answer that is open to no valid exception. I. Taylor.
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3. (Law) Having legal strength or force; executed with the proper formalities; incapable of being rightfully overthrown or set aside; as, a valid deed; a valid covenant; a valid instrument of any kind; a valid claim or title; a valid marriage.
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Syn. -- Prevalent; available; efficacious; just; good; weighty; sufficient; sound; well-grounded.
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Validate (?), v. t. [See .] To confirm; to render valid; to give legal force to.
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The chamber of deputies . . . refusing to validate at once the election of an official candidate. London Spectator.
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Validation (?), n. [Cf. F. validation.] The act of giving validity. [R.] Knowles.
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Validity (?), n. [Cf. F. validité, L. validitas strength.]
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1. The quality or state of being valid; strength; force; especially, power to convince; justness; soundness; as, the validity of an argument or proof; the validity of an objection.
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2. (Law) Legal strength, force, or authority; that quality of a thing which renders it supportable in law, or equity; as, the validity of a will; the validity of a contract, claim, or title.
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3. Value. [Obs.] “Rich validity.” Shak.
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Validly (?), adv. In a valid manner; so as to be valid.
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Validness, n. The quality or state of being valid.
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Valinch (?), n. [Cf. F. avaler to let down, drink up. Cf. .] A tube for drawing liquors from a cask by the bunghole. [Written also velinche.]
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Valise (?), n. [F. valise; cf. It. valigia, Sp. balija, LL. valisia, valesia; of uncertain origin, perhaps through (assumed) LL. vidulitia, from L. vidulus a leathern trunk; a knapsack.] A small sack or case, usually of leather, but sometimes of other material, for containing the clothes, toilet articles, etc., of a traveler; a traveling bag; a portmanteau.
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Valkyria (?), n. [Icel. valkyrja (akin to AS. wælcyrie); valr the slain + kjōsa to choose. See , and .] (Scand. Myth.) One of the maidens of Odin, represented as awful and beautiful, who presided over battle and marked out those who were to be slain, and who also ministered at the feasts of heroes in Valhalla. Now commonly written Valkyrie. [Written also Valkyr, Valkyrie, Walkyrie and Walkyr.]
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Valkyrian (?), a. Of or pertaining to the Valkyries; hence, relating to battle. “Ourself have often tried Valkyrian hymns.” Tennyson.
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Vallancy (?), n. [From .] A large wig that shades the face. [Obs.]
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Vallar (?), a. [L. vallaris.] Of or pertaining to a rampart.
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Coloq. Vallar crown (Rom. Antiq.), a circular gold crown with palisades, bestowed upon the soldier who first surmounted the rampart and broke into the enemy's camp.
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Vallar, n. A vallar crown.
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Vallary (?), a. Same as .
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Vallation (?), n. [L. vallatio, fr. vallare to surround with a rampart, fr. vallum rampart. See , n.] A rampart or intrenchment.
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Vallatory (?), a. Of or pertaining to a vallation; used for a vallation; as, vallatory reeds. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
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Vallecula (?), n.; pl. Valleculæ (#). [NL., dim. fr. L. vallis, valles, a valley.]
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1. (Anat.) A groove; a fossa; as, the vallecula, or fossa, which separates the hemispheres of the cerebellum.
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2. (Bot.) One of the grooves, or hollows, between the ribs of the fruit of umbelliferous plants.
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Vallet's pills (?). [From Dr. Vallet of Paris.] (Med.) Pills containing sulphate of iron and carbonate of sodium, mixed with saccharine matter; -- called also Vallet's mass.
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Valley (?), n.; pl. Valleys (#). [OE. vale, valeie, OF. valée, valede, F. vallée, LL. vallata, L. vallis, valles. See .]
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1. The space inclosed between ranges of hills or mountains; the strip of land at the bottom of the depressions intersecting a country, including usually the bed of a stream, with frequently broad alluvial plains on one or both sides of the stream. Also used figuratively.
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The valley of the shadow of death. Ps. xxiii. 4.
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Sweet interchange
Of hill and valley, rivers, woods, and plains. Milton.
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☞ Deep and narrow valleys with abrupt sides are usually the results of erosion by water, and are called gorges, ravines, cañons, gulches, etc.
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2. (Arch.) (a) The place of meeting of two slopes of a roof, which have their plates running in different directions, and form on the plan a reëntrant angle. (b) The depression formed by the meeting of two slopes on a flat roof.
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Coloq. Valley board (Arch.), a board for the reception of the lead gutter in the valley of a roof. The valley board and lead gutter are not usual in the United States. -- Coloq. Valley rafter , or Coloq. Valley piece (Arch.), the rafter which supports the valley. -- Coloq. Valley roof (Arch.), a roof having one or more valleys. See , 2, above.
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Vallum (?), n.; pl. L. Valla (#), E. Vallums (#). [L. See .] (Rom. Antiq.) A rampart; a wall, as in a fortification.
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Valonia (?), n. [It. vallonia, vallonea, fr. NGr. balania, balanidia, the holm oak, balani, balanidi, an acorn, Gr. balanos.]
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1. The acorn cup of two kinds of oak (Quercus macrolepis, and Quercus vallonea) found in Eastern Europe. It contains an abundance of tannin, and is much used by tanners and dyers.
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2. [Perhaps named from its resemblance to an acorn.] (Bot.) A genus of marine green algæ, in which the whole frond consists of a single oval or cylindrical cell, often an inch in length.
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Valor (?), n. [OE. valour, OF. valor, valur, valour, F. valeur, LL. valor, fr. L. valere to be strong, or worth. See .] [Written also valour.]
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1. Value; worth. [Obs.] “The valor of a penny.” Sir T. More.
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2. Strength of mind in regard to danger; that quality which enables a man to encounter danger with firmness; personal bravery; courage; prowess; intrepidity.
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For contemplation he and valor formed. Milton.
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When valor preys on reason,
It eats the sword it fights with. Shak.
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Fear to do base, unworthy things is valor. B. Jonson.
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3. A brave man; a man of valor. [R.] Ld. Lytton.
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Syn. -- Courage; heroism; bravery; gallantry; boldness; fearlessness. See , and .
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Valorization (?), n. [Pg. valorizacão.] Act or process of attempting to give an arbitrary market value or price to a commodity by governmental interference, as by maintaining a purchasing fund, making loans to producers to enable them to hold their products, etc.; -- used chiefly of such action by Brazil.
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Valorous (?), a. [Cf. F. valeureux, LL. valorosus.] Possessing or exhibiting valor; brave; courageous; valiant; intrepid. -- Valorously, adv.
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Valsalvian (?), a. Of or pertaining to Valsalva, an Italian anatomist of the 17th century.
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Coloq. Valsalvian experiment (Med.), the process of inflating the middle ear by closing the mouth and nostrils, and blowing so as to puff out the cheeks.
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Valuable (?), a. 1. Having value or worth; possessing qualities which are useful and esteemed; precious; costly; as, a valuable horse; valuable land; a valuable cargo.
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2. Worthy; estimable; deserving esteem; as, a valuable friend; a valuable companion.
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Coloq. Valuable consideration (Law), an equivalent or compensation having value given for a thing purchased, as money, marriage, services, etc. Blackstone. Bouvier.
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Valuable, n. A precious possession; a thing of value, especially a small thing, as an article of jewelry; -- used mostly in the plural.
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The food and valuables they offer to the gods. Tylor.
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Valuableness, n. The quality of being valuable.
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Valuably, adv. So as to be of value.
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Valuation (?), n. 1. The act of valuing, or of estimating value or worth; the act of setting a price; estimation; appraisement; as, a valuation of lands for the purpose of taxation.
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2. Value set upon a thing; estimated value or worth; as, the goods sold for more than their valuation.
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Since of your lives you set
So slight a valuation. Shak.
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Valuator (?), n. One who assesses, or sets a value on, anything; an appraiser. Swift.
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Value (vălū), n. [OF. value, fr. valoir, p. p. valu, to be worth, fr. L. valere to be strong, to be worth. See .] 1. The property or aggregate properties of a thing by which it is rendered useful or desirable, or the degree of such property or sum of properties; worth; excellence; utility; importance.
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