UVULAU"vu*la, n. Etym: [NL., dim of L. uva a grape, the uvula.] (Anat.)
Defn: The pendent fleshy lobe in the middle of the posterior border of the soft palate.
Note: The term is also applied to a somewhat similar lobe on the under side of the cerebellum and to another on the inner surface of the neck of the bladder.
UVULARU"vu*lar, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a uvula.
UVULATOMEU"vu*la*tome, n. Etym: [Uvula + Gr. (Surg.)
Defn: An instrument for removing the uvula.
UVULATOMYU`vu*lat"o*my, n. (Surg.)
Defn: The operation of removing the uvula.
UVULITISU`vu*li"tis, n. [NL. See Uvula, and -itis.] (Med.)
Defn: Inflammation of the uvula.
UWAROWITEU*wa"ro*wite, n. (Min.)
Defn: Ouvarovite.
UXORIALUx*o"ri*al, a. Etym: [See Uxorious.]
Defn: Dotingly fond of, or servilely submissive to, a wife; uxorious; also, becoming a wife; pertaining to a wife. [R.] The speech [of Zipporah, Ex. iv. 25] is not a speech of reproach or indignation, but of uxorial endearment. Geddes.
UXORICIDALUx*or"i*ci`dal, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to uxoricide; tending to uxoricide.
UXORICIDEUx*or"i*cide, n. Etym: [L. uxor wife + caedere to kill.]
1. The murder of a wife by her husband.
2. One who murders his wife.
UXORIOUSUx*o"ri*ous, a. Etym: [L. uxorius, fr. uxor a wife.]
Defn: Excessively fond of, or submissive to, a wife; being a dependent husband. "Uxorious magistrates." Milton. How wouldst thou insult, When I must live uxorious to thy will In perfect thraldom! Milton. — Uxo*o"ri*ous*ly, adv. — Ux*o"ri*ous*ness, n.
UZEMAU"ze*ma, n.
Defn: A Burman measure of twelve miles.
1. V, the twenty-second letter of the English alphabet, is a vocal consonant. V and U are only varieties of the same character, U being the cursive form, while V is better adapted for engraving, as in stone. The two letters were formerly used indiscriminately, and till a comparatively recent date words containing them were often classed together in dictionaries and other books of reference (see U). The letter V is from the Latin alphabet, where it was used both as a consonant (about like English w) and as a vowel. The Latin derives it from it from a form (V) of the Greek vowel UPSILON (see Y), this Greek letter being either from the same Semitic letter as the digamma F (see F), or else added by the Greeks to the alphabet which they took from the Semitic. Etymologically v is most nearly related to u, w, f, b, p; as in vine, wine; avoirdupois, habit, have; safe, save; trover, troubadour, trope. See U, F, etc. See Guide to Pronunciation, § 265; also §§ 155, 169, 178-179, etc.
2. As a numeral, V stands for five, in English and Latin.
VAAGMER Vaag"mer, n. Etym: [Icel. vagmeri a kind of flounder, literally, wave mare.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The dealfish. [Written also vaagmær, and vaagmar.]
VACANCYVa"can*cy, n.; pl. Vacancies. Etym: [Cf. F. vacance.]
1. The quality or state of being vacant; emptiness; hence, freedom from employment; intermission; leisure; idleness; listlessness. All dispositions to idleness or vacancy, even before they are habits, are dangerous. Sir H. Wotton.
2. That which is vacant. Specifically: — (a) Empty space; vacuity; vacuum. How is't with you, That you do bend your eye on vacancy Shak.
(b) An open or unoccupied space between bodies or things; an interruption of continuity; chasm; gap; as, a vacancy between buildings; a vacancy between sentences or thoughts. (c) Unemployed time; interval of leisure; time of intermission; vacation. Time lost partly in too oft idle vacancies given both to schools and universities. Milton. No interim, not a minute's vacancy. Shak. Those little vacancies from toil are sweet. Dryden.
(d) A place or post unfilled; an unoccupied office; as, a vacancy in the senate, in a school, etc.
VACANT Va"cant, a. Etym: [F., fr. L. vacans, -antis, p. pr. of vacare to be empty, to be free or unoccupied, to have leisure, also vocare; akin to vacuus empty, and probably to E. void. Cf. Evacuate, Void, a.]
1. Deprived of contents; not filled; empty; as, a vacant room.Stuffs out his vacant garments with his form. Shak.Being of those virtues vacant. Shak.There is no fireside, howsoe'er defended, But has one vacant chair.Longfellow.
2. Unengaged with business or care; unemployed; unoccupied; disengaged; free; as, vacant hours. Religion is the interest of all; but philosophy of those . . . at leisure, and vacant from the affairs of the world. Dr. H. More. There was not a minute of the day which he left vacant. Bp. Fell.
3. Not filled or occupied by an incumbent, possessor, or officer; as, a vacant throne; a vacant parish. Special dignities which vacant lie For thy best use and wearing. Shak.
4. Empty of thought; thoughtless; not occupied with study or reflection; as, a vacant mind. The duke had a pleasant and vacant face. Sir H. Wotton. When on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood. Wordsworth.
5. (Law)
Defn: Abandoned; having no heir, possessor, claimant, or occupier; as, a vacant estate. Bouvier. Vacant succession (Law), one that is claimed by no person, or where all the heirs are unknown, or where all the known heirs to it have renounced it. Burrill.
Syn. — Empty; void; devoid; free; unemployed; disengaged; unincumbered; uncrowded; idle. — Vacant, Empty. A thing is empty when there is nothing in it; as, an empty room, or an empty noddle. Vacant adds the idea of having been previously filled, or intended to be filled or occupied; as, a vacant seat at table; a vacant office; vacant hours. When we speak of a vacant look or a vacant mind, we imply the absence of the intelligence naturally to be expected there.
VACANTLYVa"cant*ly, adv.
Defn: In a vacant manner; inanely.
VACATEVa"cate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Vacated; p. pr. & vb. n. Vacating.]Etym: [L. vacare, vacatum, to be empty. See Vacant.]
1. To make vacant; to leave empty; to cease from filling or occupying; as, it was resolved by Parliament that James had vacated the throne of England; the tenant vacated the house.
2. To annul; to make void; to deprive of force; to make of no authority or validity; as, to vacate a commission or a charter; to vacate proceedings in a cause. That after act vacating the authority of the precedent. Eikon Basilike. The necessity of observing the Jewish Sabbath was Vacated by the apostolical institution of the Lord's Day. R. Nelson.
3. To defeat; to put an end to. [R.] He vacates my revenge. Dryden.
VACATION Va*ca"tion, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. vacatio a being free from a duty, service, etc., fr. vacare. See Vacate.]
1. The act of vacating; a making void or of no force; as, the vacation of an office or a charter.
2. Intermission of a stated employment, procedure, or office; a period of intermission; rest; leisure. It was not in his nature, however, at least till years had chastened it, to take any vacation from controversy. Palfrey. Hence, specifically: -(a) (Law)
Defn: Intermission of judicial proceedings; the space of time between the end of one term and the beginning of the next; nonterm; recess. "With lawyers in the vacation." Shak. (b) The intermission of the regular studies and exercises of an educational institution between terms; holidays; as, the spring vacation. (c) The time when an office is vacant; esp. (Eccl.), the time when a see, or other spiritual dignity, is vacant.
VACATURVa*ca"tur, n. [NL., it is made void, fr. L. vacare to be empty. SeeVacant.] (Law)
Defn: An order of court by which a proceeding is set aside or annulled.
VACCARYVac"ca*ry, n. Etym: [LL. vaccarium, from L. vacca cow. Cf. Vachery.]
Defn: A cow house, dairy house, or cow pasture. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]Wright.
VACCINAVac*ci"na, n. Etym: [NL.] (Med.)
Defn: Vaccinia.
VACCINALVac"ci*nal, a. (Med.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to vaccinia or vaccination.
VACCINATEVac"ci*nate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Vaccinated; p. pr. & vb. n.Vaccinating.] Etym: [See Vaccine.]
Defn: To inoculate with the cowpox by means of a virus, called vaccine, taken either directly or indirectly from cows.
VACCINATIONVac`ci*na"tion, n.
Defn: The act, art, or practice of vaccinating, or inoculating with the cowpox, in order to prevent or mitigate an attack of smallpox. Cf. Inoculation.
Note: In recent use, vaccination sometimes includes inoculation with any virus as a preventive measure; as, vaccination of cholera.
VACCINATORVac"ci*na`tor, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, vaccinates.
VACCINE Vac"cine, a. Etym: [L. vaccinus, fr. vacca a cow; cf. Skr. vac to bellow, to groan.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to cows; pertaining to, derived from, or caused by, vaccinia; as, vaccine virus; the vaccine disease. — n.
Defn: The virus of vaccinia used in vaccination.
VACCINE POINTVac"cine point`. (Med.)
Defn: See Point, n., 26.
VACCINIAVac*cin"i*a, n. Etym: [NL. See Vaccine.] (Med.)
Defn: Cowpox; vaccina. See Cowpox.
VACCINISTVac"ci*nist, n.
Defn: A vaccinator.
VACCINIUMVac*cin"i*um, n. Etym: [L., the blueberry, or whortleberry.] (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of ericaceous shrubs including the various kinds of blueberries and the true cranberries.
VACHERVa`cher", n. Etym: [F., from vache a cow. Cf. Vaquero.]
Defn: A keeper of stock or cattle; a herdsman. [Southwestern U. S.]Bartlett.
VACHERYVach"er*y, n. Etym: [F. vacherie, from vache a cow, L. vacca. Cf.Vaccary.]
1. An inclosure for cows.
2. A dairy. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Prompt. Parv.
VACHETTE CLASP Va`chette" clasp. [Cf. F. vachette cowhide leather used for ligatures.] (Veter.)
Defn: A piece of strong steel wire with the ends curved and pointed, used on toe or quarter cracks to bind the edges together and prevent motion. It is clasped into two notches, one on each side of the crack, burned into the wall with a cautery iron.
VACILLANCYVac"il*lan*cy, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being vacillant, or wavering. [R.] Dr.H. More.
VACILLANT Vac"il*lant, a. Etym: [L. vacillans, p. pr. of vacillare: cf. F. vacillant. See Vacillate.]
Defn: Vacillating; wavering; fluctuating; irresolute.
VACILLATEVac"il*late, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Vacillated; p. pr. & vb. n.Vacillating.] Etym: [L. vacillare, vacillatum; cf. Skr. vañc.]
1. To move one way and the other; to reel or stagger; to waver. [A spheroid] is always liable to shift and vacillatefrom one axis to another. Paley.
2. To fluctuate in mind or opinion; to be unsteady or inconstant; to waver.
Syn.— See Fluctuate.
VACILLATINGVac"il*la`ting, a.
Defn: Inclined to fluctuate; wavering. Tennyson.— Vac"il*la`ting*ly, adv.
VACILLATIONVac`il*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. vacillatio: cf. F. vacillation.]
1. The act of vacillating; a moving one way and the other; awavering.His vacillations, or an alternation of knowledge and doubt. Jer.Taylor.
VACILLATORYVac"il*la*to*ry, a.
Defn: Inclined to vacillate; wavering; irresolute. Hawthorne.
VACUATE Vac"u*ate, v. t. Etym: [L. vacuatus, p. p. of vacuare to empty, from vacuus empty. See Vacant.]
Defn: To make void, or empty. [R.]
VACUATIONVac`u*a"tion, n.
Defn: The act of emptying; evacuation. [R.]
VACUISTVac"u*ist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. vacuiste.]
Defn: One who holds the doctrine that the space between the bodies of the universe, or the molecules and atoms of matter., is a vacuum; — opposed to plenist.
VACUITYVa*cu"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. vacuitas. See Vacuous.]
1. The quality or state of being vacuous, or not filled; emptiness; vacancy; as, vacuity of mind; vacuity of countenance. Hunger is such a state of vacuity as to require a fresh supply of aliment. Arbuthnot.
2. Space unfilled or unoccupied, or occupied with an invisible fluid only; emptiness; void; vacuum. A vacuity is interspersed among the particles of matter. Bentley. God . . . alone can answer all our longings and fill every vacuity of our soul. Rogers.
3. Want of reality; inanity; nihility. [R.] Their expectations will meet with vacuity. Glanvill.
VACUNAVa*cu"na, n. Etym: [L. vacuus unoccupied.] (Rom. Myth.)
Defn: The goddess of rural leisure, to whom the husbandmen sacrificed at the close of the harvest. She was especially honored by the Sabines.
VACUOLATEDVac"u*o*la`ted, a. (Biol.)
Defn: Full of vacuoles, or small air cavities; as, vacuolated cells.
VACUOLATIONVac"u*o*la"tion, n. (Biol.)
Defn: Formation into, or multiplication of, vacuoles.
VACUOLEVac"u*ole, n. Etym: [L. vacuus empty: cf. F. vacuole.] (Biol.)
Defn: A small air cell, or globular space, in the interior of organic cells, either containing air, or a pellucid watery liquid, or some special chemical secretions of the cell protoplasm. Contractile vacuole. (Zoöl.) See under Contractile, and see Illusts. of Infusoria, and Lobosa. — Food vacuole. (Zoöl.) See under Food, and see Illust. of Infusoria.
VACUOMETERVac`u*om"e*ter, n. [Vacuum + -meter.] (Physics)(a) An instrument for the comparison of barometers.(b) An apparatus for the measurement of low pressures.
VACUOUSVac"u*ous, a. Etym: [L. vacuus. See Vacant.]
Defn: Empty; unfilled; void; vacant.Boundless the deep, because I am who fill Infinitude; nor vacuous thespace. Milton.That the few may lead selfish and vacuous days. J. Morley.
VACUOUSNESSVac"u*ous*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being vacuous; emptiness; vacuity. W.Montagu.
VACUUMVac"u*um, n.; pl. E. Vacuums, L. Vacua. Etym: [L., fr. vacuus empty.See Vacuous.]
1. (Physics)
Defn: A space entirely devoid of matter (called also, by way of distinction, absolute vacuum); hence, in a more general sense, a space, as the interior of a closed vessel, which has been exhausted to a high or the highest degree by an air pump or other artificial means; as, water boils at a reduced temperature in a vacuum.
2. The condition of rarefaction, or reduction of pressure below that of the atmosphere, in a vessel, as the condenser of a steam engine, which is nearly exhausted of air or steam, etc.; as, a vacuum of 26 inches of mercury, or 13 pounds per square inch. Vacuum brake, a kind of continuous brake operated by exhausting the air from some appliance under each car, and so causing the pressure of the atmosphere to apply the brakes. — Vacuum pan (Technol.), a kind of large closed metallic retort used in sugar making for boiling down sirup. It is so connected with an exhausting apparatus that a partial vacuum is formed within. This allows the evaporation and concentration to take place at a lower atmospheric pressure and hence also at a lower temperature, which largely obviates the danger of burning the sugar, and shortens the process. — Vacuum pump. Same as Pulsometer, 1. — Vacuum tube (Phys.), a glass tube provided with platinum electrodes and exhausted, for the passage of the electrical discharge; a Geissler tube. — Vacuum valve, a safety valve opening inward to admit air to a vessel in which the pressure is less than that of the atmosphere, in order to prevent collapse. — Torricellian vacuum. See under Torricellian.
VACUUM CLEANERVac"u*um clean"er.
Defn: A machine for cleaning carpets, tapestry, upholstered work, etc., by suction.
VADANTES Va*dan"tes, n. pl. Etym: [NL., from L. vadans, p. pr. of vadare to wade, to ford.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: An extensive artificial group of birds including the wading, swimming, and cursorial birds.
VADEVade, v. i. Etym: [For fade.]
Defn: To fade; hence, to vanish. [Obs.] " Summer leaves all vaded."Shak.They into dust shall vade. Spenser.
VADE MECUMVa`de me"cum. Etym: [L., go with me.]
Defn: A book or other thing that a person carries with him as a constant companion; a manual; a handbook.
VADIMONYVad"i*mo*ny, n. Etym: [L. vadimonium.] (Law)
Defn: A bond or pledge for appearance before a judge on a certain day. [Obs.]
VADIUMVa"di*um, n. Etym: [LL., from L. vas, vadis, bail.] (Law)
Defn: Pledge; security; bail. See Mortgage. Vadium vivum Etym: [LL.] (Law), a living pledge, which exists where an estate is granted until a debt is paid out of its proceeds.
VAEVae, n.
Defn: See Voe. [Scot.]
VAFROUSVa"frous, a. Etym: [L. vafer.]
Defn: Crafty; cunning; sly; as, vafrous tricks. [Obs.] Feltham.
VAGABOND Vag"a*bond, a. Etym: [F., fr. L. vagabundus, from vagari to stroll about, from vagus strolling. See Vague.]
1. Moving from place to place without a settled habitation; wandering. "Vagabond exile." Shak.
2. Floating about without any certain direction; driven to and fro. To heaven their prayers Flew up, nor missed the way, by envious winds Blown vagabond or frustrate. Milton.
3. Being a vagabond; strolling and idle or vicious.
VAGABONDVag"a*bond, n.
Defn: One who wanders from place to place, having no fixed dwelling, or not abiding in it, and usually without the means of honest livelihood; a vagrant; a tramp; hence, a worthless person; a rascal. A fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be. Gen. iv. 12.
Note: In English and American law, vagabond is used in bad sense, denoting one who is without a home; a strolling, idle, worthless person. Vagabonds are described in old English statutes as "such as wake on the night and sleep on the day, and haunt customable taverns and alehouses, and routs about; and no man wot from whence they came, nor whither they go." In American law, the term vagrant is employed in the same sense. Cf Rogue, n., 1. Burrill. Bouvier.
VAGABONDVag"a*bond, v. i.
Defn: To play the vagabond; to wander like a vagabond; to stroll. On every part my vagabonding sight Did cast, and drown mine eyes in sweet delight. Drummond.
VAGABONDAGEVag"a*bond`age, n. Etym: [Cf. F. vagabondage.]
Defn: The condition of a vagabond; a state or habit of wandering about in idleness; vagrancy.
VAGABONDISMVag"a*bond`ism, n.
Defn: Vagabondage.
VAGABONDIZEVag"a*bond`ize, v. i.
Defn: To play the vagabond; to wander about in idleness.
VAGABONDRYVag"a*bond`ry, n.
Defn: Vagabondage.
VAGALVa"gal, a. Etym: [See Vagus.] (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the vagus, or pneumogastric nerves; pneumogastric.
VAGANCYVa"gan*cy, n. Etym: [From L. vagans, p. pr. See Vagantes.]
Defn: A wandering; vagrancy. [Obs.]A thousand vagancies of glory and desight. Milton.
VAGANTES Va*gan"tes, p. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. L. vagans, p. pr. of vagari to stroll or wander.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A tribe of spiders, comprising some of those which take their prey in a web, but which also frequently run with agility, and chase and seize their prey.
VAGARIOUSVa*ga"ri*ous, a.
Defn: Given to, or characterized by, vagaries; capricious; whimsical; crochety.
VAGARYVa*ga"ry, n.; pl. Vagaries. Etym: [L. vagari to stroll about. SeeVague.]
1. A wandering or strolling. [Obs.]
2. Hence, a wandering of the thoughts; a wild or fanciful freak; a whim; a whimsical purpose. "The vagaries of a child." Spectator. They changed their minds, Flew off, and into strange vagaries fell. Milton.
VAGIENT Va"gi*ent, a. Etym: [L. vagiens, p. pr. of vagire to cry like a young child.]
Defn: Crying like a child. [Obs.]
VAGINAVa*gi"na, n.; pl. Vaginæ. Etym: [L. vagina a scabbard or sheath.]
1. (Anat.) (a) A sheath; a theca; as, the vagina of the portal vein. (b) Specifically, the canal which leads from the uterus to the external orifice if the genital canal, or to the cloaca.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The terminal part of the oviduct in insects and various other invertebrates. See Illust., of Spermatheca.
3. (Bot.)
Defn: The basal expansion of certain leaves, which inwraps the stem; a sheath.
4. (Arch.)
Defn: The shaft of a terminus, from which the bust of figure seems to issue or arise.
VAGINALVag"i*nal, a. Etym: [Cf. F. vaginal.]
1. Of or pertaining to a vagina; resembling a vagina, or sheath; thecal; as, a vaginal synovial membrane; the vaginal process of the temporal bone.
2. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the vagina of the genital canal; as, the vaginal artery.
VAGINANTVag"i*nant, a. Etym: [Cf. F. vaginant. See Vagina.]
Defn: Serving to in invest, or sheathe; sheathing. Vaginant leaf (Bot.), a leaf investing the stem or branch by its base, which has the form of a tube.
VAGINATE; VAGINATEDVag"i*nate, Vag"i*na`ted, a. Etym: [See Vagina.]
Defn: Invested with, or as if with, a sheath; as, a vaginate stem, or one invested by the tubular base of a leaf.
VAGINATIVag`i*na"ti, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A tribe of birds comprising the sheathbills.
VAGINERVOSEVag`i*ner*vose", a. Etym: [L. vagus wandering + E. nervose.] (Bot.)
Defn: Having the nerves, or veins, placed in apparent disorder.
VAGINICOLA Vag`i*nic"o*la, n. Etym: [NL., from L. vagina sheath + colere to in habit.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of Infusoria which form minute vaselike or tubular cases in which they dwell.
VAGINISMUSVag`i*nis"mus, n. Etym: [NL.] (Med.)
Defn: A painful spasmodic contraction of the vagina, often rendering copulation impossible.
VAGINITISVag`i*ni"tis, n. Etym: [NL. See Vagina, and -itis.] (Med.)
Defn: Inflammation of the vagina, or the genital canal, usually of its mucous living membrane.
VAGINOPENNOUS Vag`i*no*pen"nous, a. Etym: [L. vagina a sheath + penna a feather, pl. pennae a wing.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having elytra; sheath-winged. [R.]
VAGINULA Va*gin"u*la, n. Etym: [L., dim. of vagina sheath.] (Bot.) (a) A little sheath, as that about the base of the pedicel of most mosses. (b) One of the tubular florets in composite flowers. Henslow.
VAGINULEVag"i*nule, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A vaginula.
VAGISSATEVag"is*sate, v. i. Etym: [L. vagari to stroll or wander.]
Defn: To caper or frolic. [Obs.]
VAGOUSVa"gous, a. Etym: [L. vagus. See Vague.]
Defn: Wandering; unsettled. [Obs.] Ayliffe.
VAGRANCYVa"gran*cy, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being a vagrant; a wandering without a settled home; an unsettled condition; vagabondism. Threatened away into banishment and vagrancy. Barrow.
VAGRANT Va"grant, a. Etym: [Probably fr. OF. waucrant, wacrant, p. p. of waucrer, wacrer, walcrer, to wander (probably of Teutonic origin), but influenced by F. vagant, p. pr. of vaguer to stray, L. vagari. Cf. Vagary.]
1. Moving without certain direction; wandering; erratic; unsettled.That beauteous Emma vagrant courses took. Prior.While leading this vagrant and miserable life, Johnson fell in live.Macaulay.
2. Wandering from place to place without any settled habitation; as, a vagrant beggar.
VAGRANTVa"grant, n.
Defn: One who strolls from place to place; one who has no settledhabitation; an idle wanderer; a sturdy beggar; an incorrigible rogue;a vagabond.Vagrants and outlaws shall offend thy view. Prior.
VAGRANTLYVa"grant*ly, adv.
Defn: In a vagrant manner.
VAGRANTNESSVa"grant*ness, n.
Defn: State of being vagrant; vagrancy.
VAGUE Vague, a. [Compar. Vaguer; superl. Vaguest.] Etym: [F. vague, or L. vagus. See Vague, v. i.]
1. Wandering; vagrant; vagabond. [Archaic] "To set upon the vague villains." Hayward. She danced along with vague, regardless eyes. Keats.
2. Unsettled; unfixed; undetermined; indefinite; ambiguous; as, a vague idea; a vague proposition. This faith is neither a mere fantasy of future glory, nor a vague ebullition of feeling. I. Taylor. The poet turned away, and gave himself up to a sort of vague revery, which he called thought. Hawthorne.
3. Proceeding from no known authority; unauthenticated; uncertain; flying; as, a vague report. Some legend strange and value. Longfellow. Vague year. See Sothiac year, under Sothiac.
Syn. — Unsettled; indefinite; unfixed; ill-defined; ambiguous; hazy; loose; lax; uncertain.
VAGUEVague, n. Etym: [Cf. F. vague.]
Defn: An indefinite expanse. [R.]The gray vague of unsympathizing sea. Lowell.
VAGUEVague, v. i. Etym: [F. vaguer, L. vagari, fr. vagus roaming.]
Defn: To wander; to roam; to stray. [Obs.] "[The soul] doth vague and wander." Holland.
VAGUEVague, n.
Defn: A wandering; a vagary. [Obs.] Holinshed.
VAGUELYVague"ly, adv.
Defn: In a vague manner.What he vaguely hinted at, but dared not speak. Hawthorne.
VAGUENESSVague"ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being vague.
VAGUSVa"gus, a. Etym: [L., wandering.] (Anat.)
Defn: Wandering; — applied especially to the pneumogastric nerve.— n.
Defn: The vagus, ore pneumogastric, nerve.
VAILVail, n. & v. t.
Defn: Same as Veil.
VAILVail, n. Etym: [Aphetic form of avail, n.]
1. Avails; profit; return; proceeds. [Obs.] My house is as were the cave where the young outlaw hoards the stolen vails of his occupation. Chapman.
2. An unexpected gain or acquisition; a casual advantage or benefit; a windfall. [Obs.]
3. Money given to servants by visitors; a gratuity; — usually in the plural. [Written also vale.] Dryden.
VAIL Vail, v. t. Etym: [Aphetic form of avale. See Avale, Vale.] [Written also vale, and veil.]
1. To let fail; to allow or cause to sink. [Obs.] Vail your regard Upon a wronged, I would fain have said, a maid! Shak.
2. To lower, or take off, in token of inferiority, reverence, submission, or the like. France must vail her lofty-plumed crest! Shak. Without vailing his bonnet or testifying any reverence for the alleged sanctity of the relic. Sir. W. Scott.
VAILVail, v. i.
Defn: To yield or recede; to give place; to show respect by yielding, uncovering, or the like. [Written also vale, and veil.] [Obs.] Thy convenience must vail to thy neighbor's necessity. South.
VAILVail, n.
Defn: Submission; decline; descent. [Obs.]
VAILERVail"er, n.
Defn: One who vails. [Obs.] Overbury.
VAIMUREVai"mure, n.
Defn: An outer, or exterior. wall. See Vauntmure. [Obs.] Hakluyt.
VAIN Vain, a. [Compar. Vainer; superl. Vainest.] Etym: [F. vain, L. vanus empty, void, vain. Cf. Vanish, Vanity, Vaunt to boast.]
1. Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying. "Thy vain excuse." Shak. Every man walketh in a vain show. Ps. xxxix. 6. Let no man deceive you with vain words. Eph. v. 6. Vain pomp, and glory of this world, I hate ye! Shak. Vain visdom all, and false philosophy. Milton.
2. Destitute of forge or efficacy; effecting no purpose; fruitless; ineffectual; as, vain toil; a vain attempt. Bring no more vain oblations. Isa. i. 13. Vain is the force of man To crush the pillars which the pile sustain. Dryden.
3. Proud of petty things, or of trifling attainments; having a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight reason; conceited; puffed up; inflated. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren James ii. 20 (Rev. Ver.). The minstrels played on every side, Vain of their art. Dryden.
4. Showy; ostentatious. Load some vain church with old theatric state. Pope.
Syn. — Empty; worthless; fruitless; ineffectual; idle; unreal; shadowy; showy; ostentatious; light; inconstant; deceitful; delusive; unimportant; trifling.
VAINVain, n.
Defn: Vanity; emptiness; — now used only in the phrase in vain. For vain. See In vain. [Obs.] Shak. — In vain, to no purpose; without effect; ineffectually. " In vain doth valor bleed." Milton. " In vain they do worship me." Matt. xv. 9. — To take the name of God in vain, to use the name of God with levity or profaneness.
VAINGLORIOUSVain`glo"ri*ous, a.
Defn: Feeling or indicating vainglory; elated by vanity; boastful."Arrogant and vainglorious expression." Sir M. Hale.— Vain`glo"ri*ous*ly, adv.— Vain`glo"ri*ous*ness, n.
VAINGLORYVain`glo"ry, n. Etym: [Vain + glory.]
Defn: Excessive vanity excited by one's own performances; empty pride; undue elation of mind; vain show; boastfulness. He had nothing of vainglory. Bacon. The man's undone forever; for if Hector break not his neck i' the combat, he'll break't himself in vainglory. Shak.
VAINLYVain"ly, adv.
Defn: In a vain manner; in vain.
VAINNESSVain"ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being vain.
VAIR Vair, n. Etym: [F. vair, from OF. vair, a., L. varius various, variegated. See Various, and cf. Menivel.]
Defn: The skin of the squirrel, much used in the fourteenth century as fur for garments, and frequently mentioned by writers of that period in describing the costly dresses of kings, nobles, and prelates. It is represented in heraldry by a series of small shields placed close together, and alternately white and blue. Fairholt. No vair or ermine decked his garment. Sir W. Scott. Counter vair (Her.), a fur resembling vair, except in the arrangement of the patches or figures.
VAIRYVair"y, a. Etym: [F. vairé. See Vair, n.] (Her.)
Defn: Charged with vair; variegated with shield-shaped figures. SeeVair.
VAISHNAVAVaish"na*va (vish"na*va), n. Etym: [Skr. vaishnsava.] (Hindoo Myth.)
Defn: A worshiper of the god Vishnu in any of his incarnations.
VAISHNAVISMVaish"na*vism, n.
Defn: The worship of Vishnu.
VAISYAVais"ya, n. Etym: [Skr. vaiçya.]
Defn: The third of the four great original castes among the Hindoos, now either extinct or partially represented by the mercantile class of Banyas. See the Note under Caste, 1.
VAIVODEVai"vode, n. Etym: [Cf. F. vayvode. See Waywode.]
Defn: See Waywode.
VAKEELVa*keel", n. Etym: [Ar. wakil.]
Defn: A native attorney or agent; also, an ambassador. [India]
VALANCE Val"ance, n. Etym: [Perhaps fr. OF. avalant descending, hanging down, p. pr. of avaler to go down, let down, descent (cf. Avalanche); but probably from the town of Valence in France.]
1. Hanging drapery for a bed, couch, window, or the like, especially that which hangs around a bedstead, from the bed to the floor. [Written also valence.] Valance of Venice gold in needlework. Shak.
2. The drooping edging of the lid of a trunk. which covers the joint when the lid is closed.
VALANCEVal"ance, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Valanced; p. pr. & vb. n. Valancing.]
Defn: To furnish with a valance; to decorate with hangings ordrapery.His old fringed chair valanced around with party-colored worstedbobs. Sterne.
VALEVale, n. Etym: [OE. val, F. val, L. vallis; perhaps akin to Gr.Avalanche, Vail to lower, Valley.]
Defn: A tract of low ground, or of land between hills; a valley. "Make me a cottage in the vale." Tennyson.Beyond this vale of tears there is a life above. Montgomery.In those fair vales, by nature formed to please. Harte.
Note: Vale is more commonly used in poetry, and valley in prose and common discourse.
Syn.— Valley; dingle; dell; dale.
VALEVale, n.
Defn: See 2d Vail, 3.
VALEDICTION Val`e*dic"tion, n. Etym: [L., valedicere, valedictum, to say farewell; vale farewell (imperative of valere to be strong or well) + dicere to say. See Valiant, Diction.]
Defn: A farewell; a bidding farewell. Donne.
VALEDICTORIANVal`e*dic*to"ri*an, n.
Defn: One who pronounces a valedictory address; especially, in American colleges, the student who pronounces the valedictory of the graduating class at the annual commencement, usually the student who ranks first in scholarship.
VALEDICTORYVal`e*dic"to*ry, a.
Defn: Bidding farewell; suitable or designed for an occasion of leave-taking; as, a valedictory oration.
VALEDICTORYVal`e*dic"to*ry, n.; pl. Valedictories (.
Defn: A valedictory oration or address spoken at commencement in American colleges or seminaries by one of the graduating class, usually by the leading scholar.
VALENCE Va"lence, n. Etym: [From L. valens, -entis, p. pr. of valere to have power, to be strong. See Valiant.] (Chem.)
Defn: The degree of combining power of an atom (or radical) as shown by the number of atoms of hydrogen (or of other monads, as chlorine, sodium, etc.) with which it will combine, or for which it can be substituted, or with which it can be compared; thus, an atom of hydrogen is a monad, and has a valence of one; the atoms of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon are respectively dyads, triads, and tetrads, and have a valence respectively of two, three, and four.
Note: The valence of certain elements varies in different compounds. Valence in degree may extend as high as seven or eight, as in the cases of iodine and osmium respectively. The doctrine of valence has been of fundamental importance in distinguishing the equivalence from the atomic weight, and is an essential factor in explaining the chemical structures of compounds.
VALENCIAVa*len"ci*a, n. Etym: [Perhaps fr. Valence in France.]
Defn: A kind of woven fabric for waistcoats, having the weft of wool and the warp of silk or cotton. [Written also valentia.]
VALENCIENNES LACEVa*len`ci*ennes" lace". Etym: [F.; — so called after the town ofValenciennes.]
Defn: A rich kind of lace made at Valenciennes, in France. Each piece is made throughout, ground and pattern, by the same person and with the same thread, the pattern being worked in the net.
VALENCY Val"en*cy, n.; pl. Valencies (. (Chem.) (a) See Valence. (b) A unit of combining power; a so-called bond of affinity.
VALENTIAVa*len"ti*a, n.
Defn: See Valencia.
VALENTINEVal"en*tine, n.
1. A sweetheart chosen on St. Valentine's Day.
2. A letter containing professions of love, or a missive of a sentimental, comic, or burlesque character, sent 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 mate. Hence, perhaps, arose the custom of sending love tokens at that time.
VALENTINIANVal`en*tin"i*an, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
Defn: One of a school of Judaizing Gnostics in the second century; — so called from Valentinus, the founder.
VALERAMIDEVal`er*am"ide, n. Etym: [Valeric + amide.] (Chem.)
Defn: The acid amide derivative of valeric acid, obtained as a white crystalline substance.
VALERATEVal"er*ate, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of valeric acid.
VALERIANVa*le"ri*an, n. Etym: [LL. valeriana, perhaps from some person namedValerius, or fr. L. valere to be strong. powerful, on account of itsmedicinal virtues: cf. F. valériane.] (Bot.)
Defn: 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.
VALERIANACEOUSVa*le`ri*an*a"ceous, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or resembling, plants of a natural order (Valerianaccæ) of which the valerian is the type. The order includes also the corn salads and the oriental spikenard.
VALERIANATEVa*le"ri*an*ate, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A valerate.
VALERIANICVa*le`ri*an"ic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Performance to, or obtained from, valerian root; specifically, designating an acid which is usually called valeric acid.
VALERICVa*ler"ic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: 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. 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.
VALERIDINEVa*ler"i*dine, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A base, C10H19N, produced by heating valeric aldehyde with ammonia. It is probably related to the conine alkaloids.
VALERINVal"er*in, n. Etym: [Valeric + glycerin.] (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of valeric acid with glycerin, occurring in butter, dolphin oil., and forming an forming an oily liquid with a slightly unpleasant odor.
VALERITRINEVa*ler"i*trine, n. Etym: [Valeric + iropine + -ine.] (Chem.)
Defn: A base, C15H27N, produced together with valeridine, which it resembles.
VALERO-Val"er*o-. (Chem.)
Defn: A combining form (also used adjectively) indicating derivation from, or relation to, valerian or some of its products, as valeric acid; as in valerolactone, a colorless oily liquid produced as the anhydride of an hydroxy valeric acid.
VALERONEVal"er*one, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A ketone of valeric acid obtained as an oily liquid.
VALERYLVal"er*yl, n. Etym: [Valeric + -yl.] (Chem.)
Defn: The hypothetical radical C5H9O, regarded as the essential nucleus of certain valeric acid derivatives.
VALERYLENEVal`er*yl*ene, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A liquid hydrocarbon, C5H8; — called also pentine.
VALET Val"et, n. Etym: [F. valet, OF. vallet, varlet, vaslet. See Varlet, and Vassal.]
1. A male waiting servant; a servant who attends on gentleman's person; a body servant.
2. (Man.)
Defn: A kind of goad or stick with a point of iron. Valet de chambre( Etym: [F.], a body servant, or personal attendant.
VALETUDINARIAN Val`e*tu`di*na"ri*an, a. Etym: [L. valetudinarius, from valetudo state of health, health, ill health, fr. valere to be strong or well: cf. F. valétudinaire. See Valiant.]
Defn: Of infirm health; seeking to recover health; sickly; weakly;infirm.My feeble health and valetudinarian stomach. Coleridge.The virtue which the world wants is a healthful virtue, not avaletudinarian virtue. Macaulay.
VALETUDINARIANVal`e*tu`di*na"ri*an, n.
Defn: A person of a weak or sickly constitution; one who is seekingto recover health.Valetudinarians must live where they can command and scold. Swift.
VALETUDINARIANISMVal`e*tu`di*na"ri*an*ism, n.
Defn: The condition of a valetudinarian; a state of feeble health; infirmity.
VALETUDINARYVal`e*tu"di*na*ry, a.
Defn: Infirm; sickly; valetudinarian.— Val`e*tu"di*na*ri*ness, n.It renders the habit of society dangerously. Burke.
VALETUDINARYVal`e*tu"di*na*ry, n.
Defn: A valetudinarian.
VALETUDINOUSVal`e*tu"di*nous, a.
Defn: Valetudinarian. [Obs.] "The valetudinous condition of KingEdward." Fuller.
VALHALLA Val*hal"la, n. Etym: [Icel. valhöll, literally, hall of the slain; valr the slain (akin to AS. wæl, OHG. wal battlefield, wuol defeat, slaughter, AS. wol pestilence) + höll a royal hall. See Hall, and cf. Walhalla.] [Written also walhalla.]
1. (Scand. Myth.)
Defn: The palace of immortality, inhabited by the souls of heroes slain in battle.
2. Fig.: A hall or temple adorned with statues and memorials of a nation's heroes; specifically, the Pantheon near Ratisbon, in Bavaria, consecrated to the illustrious dead of all Germany.
VALIANCE; VALIANCYVal"iance, Val"ian*cy, n. Etym: [Cf. F. vaillance. See Valiant.]
Defn: The quality or state of being valiant; bravery; valor. [Obs.]"His doughty valiance." Spenser.
VALIANT Val"iant, a. Etym: [OE. valiant, F. vaillant, OF. vaillant, valant, originally p. pr. of OF. & F. valoir to be worth, L. valere to be strong. See Wield, and cf. Avail, Convalesce, Equivalent, Prevail, Valid.]
1. Vigorous in body; strong; powerful; as, a valiant fencer. [Obs.] Walton.
2. Intrepid in danger; courageous; brave.A valiant and most expert gentleman. Shak.And Saul said to David . . . be thou valiant for me, and fight theLord's battles. 1 Sam. xviii. 17.
3. Performed with valor or bravery; heroic. "Thou bearest the highest name for valiant acts." Milton. [The saints] have made such valiant confessions. J. H. Newman. — Val"iant*ly, adv. — Val"iant*ness, n.
VALID Val"id, a. Etym: [F. valide, F. validus strong, from valere to be strong. See Valiant.]
1. Strong; powerful; efficient. [Obs.] "Perhaps more valid arms . . . may serve to better us." Milton.
2. Having sufficient strength or force; founded in truth; capable of being justified, defended, or supported; not weak or defective; sound; good; efficacious; as, a valid argument; a valid objection. An answer that is open to no valid exception. I. Taylor.
3. (Law)
Defn: Having legal strength or force; executed with the proper formalities; incapable of being rightfully overthrown or set aside; as, a valid deed; a valid covenant; a valid instrument of any kind; a valid claim or title; a valid marriage.
Syn. — Prevalent; available; efficacious; just; good; weighty; sufficient; sound; well-grounded.
VALIDATEVal"i*date, v. t. Etym: [See Valid.]
Defn: To confirm; to render valid; to give legal force to. The chamber of deputies . . . refusing to validate at once the election of an official candidate. London Spectator.
VALIDATIONVal`i*da"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. validation.]
Defn: The act of giving validity. [R.] Knowles.
VALIDITYVa*lid"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. validité, L. validitas strength.]
1. The quality or state of being valid; strength; force; especially, power to convince; justness; soundness; as, the validity of an argument or proof; the validity of an objection.
2. (Law)
Defn: Legal strength, force, or authority; that quality of a thing which renders it supportable in law, or equity; as, the validity of a will; the validity of a contract, claim, or title.
3. Value. [Obs.] "Rich validity." Shak.
VALIDLYVal"id*ly, adv.
Defn: In a valid manner; so as to be valid.
VALIDNESSVal"id*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being valid.
VALINCHVal"inch, n. Etym: [Cf. F. avaler to let down, drink up. Cf.Avalanche.]
Defn: A tube for drawing liquors from a cask by the bunghole.[Written also velinche.]
VALISE Va*lise", n. Etym: [F. valise; cf. It. valigia, Sp. balija, LL. valisia, valesia; of uncertain origin, perhaps through (assumed) LL. vidulitia, from L. vidulus a leathern trunk; a knapsack.]
Defn: A small sack or case, usually of leather, but sometimes of other material, for containing the clothes, toilet articles, etc., of a traveler; a traveling bag; a portmanteau.
VALKYRIAVal*kyr"i*a, n. Etym: [Icel. valkyrja (akin to AS. wælcyrie); valrthe slain + kjosa to choose. See Valhalla, and Choose.] (Scand.Myth.)
Defn: One of the maidens of Odin, represented as awful and beautiful, who presided over battle and marked out those who were to be slain, and who also ministered at the feasts of heroes in Valhalla. [Written also Valkyr, and Walkyr.]
VALKYRIANVal*kyr"i*an, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Valkyrias; hence, relating to battle."Ourself have often tried Valkyrian hymns." Tennyson.
VALLANCYVal*lan"cy, n. Etym: [From Valance.]
Defn: A large wig that shades the face. [Obs.]
VALLARVal"lar, a. Etym: [L.vallaris.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to a rampart. Vallar crown (Rom. Antiq.), a circular gold crown with palisades, bestowed upon the soldier who first surmounted the rampart and broke into the enemy's camp.
VALLARVal"lar, n.
Defn: A vallar crown.
VALLARYVal"la*ry, a.
Defn: Same as Vallar.
VALLATION Val*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. vallatio, fr. vallare to surround with a rampart, fr. vallum rampart. See Wall, n.]
Defn: A rampart or intrenchment.
VALLATORYVal"la*to*ry, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a vallation; used for a vallation; as, vallatory reads. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
VALLECULA Val*lec"u*la, n.; pl. Valleculæ. Etym: [NL., dim. fr. L. vallis, valles, a valley.]
1. (Anat.)
Defn: A groove; a fossa; as, the vallecula, or fossa, which separates the hemispheres of the cerebellum.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: One of the grooves, or hollows, between the ribs of the fruit of umbelliferous plants.
VALLET'S PILLSVal`let's pills". Etym: [From Dr. Vallet of Paris.] (Med.)
Defn: Pills containing sulphate of iron and carbonate of sodium, mixed with saccharine matter; — called also Vallet's mass.
VALLEYVal"ley, n.; pl. Valleys. Etym: [OE. vale, valeie, OF. valée, valede,F. vallée, LL. vallata, L. vallis, valles. See Vale.]
1. The space inclosed between ranges of hills or mountains; the strip of land at the bottom of the depressions intersecting a country, including usually the bed of a stream, with frequently broad alluvial plains on one or both sides of the stream. Also used figuratively. The valley of the shadow of death. Ps. xxiii. 4. Sweet interchange Of hill and valley, rivers, woods, and plains. Milton.
Note: Deep and narrow valleys with abrupt sides are usually the results of erosion by water, and are called gorges, ravines, cañons, gulches, etc.
2. (Arch.) (a) The place of meeting of two slopes of a roof, which have their plates running in different directions, and form on the plan a reëntrant angle. (b) The depression formed by the meeting of two slopes on a flat roof. Valley board (Arch.), a board for the reception of the lead gutter in the valley of a roof. The valley board and lead gutter are not usual in the United States. — Valley rafter, or Valley piece (Arch.), the rafter which supports the valley. — Valley roof (Arch.), a roof having one or more valleys. See Valley, 2, above.
VALLUMVal"lum, n.; pl. L. Valla, E. Vallums. Etym: [L. See Wall.] (Rom.Antiq.)
Defn: A rampart; a wall, as in a fortification.
VALONIA Va*lo"ni*a, n. Etym: [It. vallonia, vallonea, fr. NGr. balania`, balanidia`, the holm oak, bala`ni, balani`di, an acorn, Gr. ba`lanos.]
1. The acorn cup of two kinds of oak (Quercus macrolepis, and Q. vallonea) found in Eastern Europe. It contains abundance of tannin, and is much used by tanners and dyers.
2. Etym: [Perhaps named from its resemblance to an acorn.] (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of marine green algæ, in which the whole frond consists of a single oval or cylindrical cell, often an inch in length.
VALORVal"or, n. Etym: [OE. valour, OF. valor, valur, valour, F. valeur,LL. valor, fr. L. valere to be strong, or worth. See Valiant.][Written also valour.]
1. Value; worth. [Obs.] "The valor of a penny." Sir T. More.
2. Strength of mind in regard to danger; that quality which enables a man to encounter danger with firmness; personal bravery; courage; prowess; intrepidity. For contemplation he and valor formed. Milton. When valor preys on reason, It eats the sword it fights with. Shak. Fear to do base, unworthy things is valor. B. Jonson.
3. A brave man; a man of valor. [R.] Ld. Lytton.
Syn.— Courage; heroism; bravery; gallantry; boldness; fearlessness. SeeCourage, and Heroism.
VALORIZATIONVal`or*i*za"tion, n. [Pg. valorizacão.]
Defn: Act or process of attempting to give an arbitrary market value or price to a commodity by governmental interference, as by maintaining a purchasing fund, making loans to producers to enable them to hold their products, etc.; — used chiefly of such action by Brazil.
VALOROUSVal"or*ous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. valeureux, LL. valorosus.]
Defn: Possessing or exhibiting valor; brave; courageous; valiant;intrepid.— Val"or*ous*ly, adv.
VALSALVIANVal*sal"vi*an, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Valsalva, an Italian anatomist of the 17th century. Valsalvian experiment (Med.), the process of inflating the middle ear by closing the mouth and nostrils, and blowing so as to puff out the cheeks.
VALUABLEVal"u*a*ble, a.
1. Having value or worth; possessing qualities which are useful and esteemed; precious; costly; as, a valuable horse; valuable land; a valuable cargo.
2. Worthy; estimable; deserving esteem; as, a valuable friend; a valuable companion. Valuable consideration (Law), an equivalent or compensation having value given for a thing purchased, as money, marriage, services, etc. Blackstone. Bouvier.
VALUABLEVal"u*a*ble, n.
Defn: A precious possession; a thing of value, especially a small thing, as an article of jewelry; — used mostly in the plural. The food and valuables they offer to the gods. Tylor.
VALUABLENESSVal"u*a*ble*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being valuable.
VALUABLYVal"u*a*bly, adv.
Defn: So as to be of value.
VALUATIONVal`u*a"tion, n.
1. The act of valuing, or of estimating value or worth; the act of setting a price; estimation; appraisement; as, a valuation of lands for the purpose of taxation.
2. Value set upon a thing; estimated value or worth; as, the goods sold for more than their valuation. Since of your lives you set So slight a valuation. Shak.
VALUATORVal"u*a`tor, n.
Defn: One who assesses, or sets a value on, anything; an appraiser.Swift.
VALUEVal"ue, n. Etym: [OF. value, fr. valoir, p. p. valu, to be worth, fr.L. valere to be strong, to be worth. See Valiant.]
1. The property or aggregate properties of a thing by which it is rendered useful or desirable, or the degree of such property or sum of properties; worth; excellence; utility; importance.
Ye are all physicians of no value. Job xiii. 4.Ye are of more value than many sparrows. Matt. x. 31.Cæsar is well acquainted with your virtue, And therefore sets thisvalue on your life. Addison.Before events shall have decided on the value of the measures.Marshall.
2. (Trade & Polit. Econ.)
Defn: Worth estimated by any standard of purchasing power, especially by the market price, or the amount of money agreed upon as an equivalent to the utility and cost of anything. An article may be possessed of the highest degree of utility, or power to minister to our wants and enjoyments, and may be universally made use of, without possessing exchangeable value. M'Culloch. Value is the power to command commodities generally. A. L. Chapin (Johnson's Cys.). Value is the generic term which expresses power in exchange. F. A. Walker. His design was not to pay him the value of his pictures, because they were above any price. Dryden.
Note: In political economy, value is often distinguished as intrinsic and exchangeable. Intrinsic value is the same as utility or adaptation to satisfy the desires or wants of men. Exchangeable value is that in an article or product which disposes individuals to give for it some quantity of labor, or some other article or product obtainable by labor; as, pure air has an intrinsic value, but generally not an exchangeable value.
3. Precise signification; import; as, the value of a word; the value of a legal instrument Mitford.
4. Esteem; regard. Dryden. My relation to the person was so near, and my value for him so great Bp. Burnet.
5. (Mus.)
Defn: The relative length or duration of a tone or note, answering to quantity in prosody; thus, a quarter note [value of two eighth notes [
6. In an artistical composition, the character of any one part in its relation to other parts and to the whole; — often used in the plural; as, the values are well given, or well maintained.
7. Valor. [Written also valew.] [Obs.] Spenser. Value received, a phrase usually employed in a bill of exchange or a promissory note, to denote that a consideration has been given for it. Bouvier.
VALUEVal"ue, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Valued; p. pr. & vb. n. Valuing.]
1. To estimate the value, or worth, of; to rate at a certain price; to appraise; to reckon with respect to number, power, importance, etc. The mind doth value every moment. Bacon. The queen is valued thirty thousand strong. Shak. The king must take it ill, That he's so slightly valued in his messenger. Shak. Neither of them valued their promises according to rules of honor or integrity. Clarendon.
2. To rate highly; to have in high esteem; to hold in respect and estimation; to appreciate; to prize; as, to value one for his works or his virtues. Which of the dukes he values most. Shak.
3. To raise to estimation; to cause to have value, either real or apparent; to enhance in value. [Obs.] Some value themselves to their country by jealousies of the crown. Sir W. Temple.
4. To be worth; to be equal to in value. [Obs.] The peace between the French and us not values The cost that did conclude it. Shak.
Syn. — To compute; rate; appraise; esteem; respect; regard; estimate; prize; appreciate.
VALUEDVal"ued, a.
Defn: Highly regarded; esteemed; prized; as, a valued contributor; a valued friend. Valued policy. See under Policy.
VALUED POLICYVal"ued pol"i*cy. (Fire Insurance)
Defn: A policy in which the value of the goods, property, or interest insured is specified; — opposed to open policy.
VALUED-POLICY LAWValued-policy law. (Fire Insurance)
Defn: A law requiring insurance companies to pay to the insured, in case of total loss, the full amount of the insurance, regardless of the actual value of the property at the time of the loss.
VALUELESSVal"ue*less, a.