Some 16th-century Italian clergymen tried to ban coffee because they believed it to be “satanic.” However, Pope Clement VII loved coffee so much that he lifted the ban and had coffee baptized in 1600.
VALERIAN
valerian
(noun) a plant of the genus Valeriana having lobed or dissected leaves and cymose white or pink flowers
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
valerian (countable and uncountable, plural valerians)
A hardy perennial flowering plant, Valeriana officinalis, with heads of sweetly scented pink or white flowers.
More generally, any plant of the genus Valeriana.
(uncountable) The root of Valeriana officinalis, used in herbal medicine.
An extract of the dried roots of the Valeriana officinalis used in herbal medicine as a sedative.
Synonyms
• (Valeriana officinalis): allheal, cat thyme
Anagrams
• Ravelian
Etymology 1
Proper noun
Valerian
a Roman cognomen, notably borne by Publius Licinius Valerianus, a Roman emperor
Etymology 2
Proper noun
Valerian
A Russian male given name from Russian
Anagrams
• Ravelian
Source: Wiktionary
Va*le"ri*an, n. Etym: [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.)
Definition: Any plant of the genus Valeriana. The root of the officinal valerian (V. officinalis) has a strong smell, and is much used in medicine as an antispasmodic. Greek valerian (Bot.), a plant (Polemonium cæruleum) with blue or white flowers, and leaves resembling those of the officinal valerian.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
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Word of the Day
28 December 2024
ACERVULUS
(noun) small asexual fruiting body resembling a cushion or blister consisting of a mat of hyphae that is produced on a host by some fungi
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