Văl'en-tine, n.

(Synop., § 130), n.

1. A sweetheart chosen on St. Valentine's day.
2. A letter containing professions of love or affection, sent by one young person to another on St. Valentine's day.

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 couple. Hence, perhaps, arose the custom of sending on this day letters containing professions of love and affection.