n.
Pronunciation: v ə - ' lir- ē - ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French or Medieval Latin; Anglo-French valeriane, from Medieval Latin valeriana, probably from feminine of valerianus of Valeria, from Valeria, Roman province formerly part of Pannonia
Date: 12th century
1 : any of a genus ( Valeriana of the family Valerianaceae, the valerian family) of perennial herbs and shrubs many of which possess medicinal properties
2 : a preparation of the dried rhizome and roots of the garden heliotrope ( Valeriana officinalis ) used especially formerly as a carminative and sedative