Va-lē'ri-an, n.

n. [N. Lat. valeriana, either from some distinguished individual called Valerius, or from Lat. valere, to be strong, powerful, on account of its medicinal virtues; Pr., Sp., Pg., It., & L. Lat. valeriana, Fr. valériane, Ger. baldrian.] (Bot.) A plant of the genus Valeriana, of many species. The root of the officinal valerian (V. officinalis) has a strong smell, and is much used in medicine as an antispasmodic.