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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Greek valerian (Bot.), a plant (Polemonium caeruleum) with blue or white flowers, and leaves resembling those of the officinal valerian. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Bot.) Of, pertaining to, or resembling, plants of a natural order (Valerianaceae) of which the valerian is the type. The order includes also the corn salads and the oriental spikenard. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) A valerate. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or obtained from, valerian root; specifically, designating an acid which is usually called valeric acid. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) A base, C10H19N, produced by heating valeric aldehyde with ammonia. It is probably related to the conine alkaloids. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Valeric + tropine + -ine. ] (Chem.) A base, C15H27N, produced together with valeridine, which it resembles. [ 1913 Webster ]