valentine
valentine Lexical Profile
valentine Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A card, message, or token of affection sent to a sweetheart or friend on Saint Valentine's Day (February 14), often anonymously.
"The elementary school students decorated red paper hearts to exchange as valentines with their classmates."
A person chosen as a sweetheart or special romantic partner on Saint Valentine's Day.
"He nervously asked her if she would be his valentine for the upcoming spring dance."
An uncritical, affectionate tribute or expression of admiration toward a person, place, or subject.
"The director's latest film is a nostalgic valentine to the golden age of Parisian cinema."
Word Origin & Etymology
Middle English, from Old French Valentin, from Latin Valentinus, derived from valens ('strong, healthy, vigorous'). The romantic senses stem from Saint Valentine, a third-century Roman martyr whose feast day on February 14 became associated with courtly love during the Middle Ages, largely popularized by Geoffrey Chaucer.