'Valerian' definitions:
Definition of 'valerian'
(from WordNet)
noun
A plant of the genus Valeriana having lobed or dissected leaves and cymose white or pink flowers
Definition of 'Valerian'
From: GCIDE
- Valerian \Va*le"ri*an\, 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. val['e]riane.] (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. [1913 Webster]
- Greek valerian (Bot.), a plant (Polemonium caeruleum) with blue or white flowers, and leaves resembling those of the officinal valerian. [1913 Webster]