Valentine

Valentine
Valentine mid-15c., "sweetheart chosen on St. Valentine's Day," from L.L. Valentinus, the name of two early Italian saints (from L. valentia "strength, capacity;" see VALENCE (Cf. valence)). Choosing a sweetheart on this day originated 14c. as a custom in English and French court circles. Meaning "letter or card sent to a sweetheart" first recorded 1824. The romantic association of the day is said to be from it being around the time when birds choose their mates.
For this was on seynt Volantynys day
Whan euery bryd cometh there to chese his make.
[Chaucer, "Parlement of Foules," c.1381]
Probably the date was the informal first day of spring in whatever French region invented the custom (many surviving medieval calendars reckon the start of spring on the 7th or 22nd of February). No evidence connects it with the Roman LUPERCALIA (Cf. Lupercalia) (an 18c. theory) or to any romantic or avian quality in either of the saints. The custom of sending special cards or letters on this date flourished in England c.1840-1870, declined around the turn of the 20th century, and revived 1920s.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Valentine — may refer to: *A card or gift given on Valentine s Day *A person who gives or receives such an itemPlacesUnited States*Valentine, Indiana *Valentine, Nebraska *Valentine, Texas Australia*Valentine, New South Wales, a suburb of Lake… …   Wikipedia

  • Valentine — bezeichnet einen englischsprachigen männlichen Vornamen, siehe Valentin eine deutsche Sängerin und Pianistin, siehe Valentine (Musikerin) eine US amerikanische Alternative Rock Band, siehe Valentine (Band) eine britische Panzerbaureihe des… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Valentine Mk. II — Valentine Valentine Mark VI Tipo Carro combate apoyo infantería País de origen …   Wikipedia Español

  • Valentine II — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Valentine MK II para pontones El Valentine II fue un carro de combate para apoyo de la infantería desarrollado por la compañía Vickers Armstrong para las Fuerzas Armadas Británicas y para el Ejército Canadiense… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Valentine —     Pope Valentine     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► Pope Valentine     Date of birth unknown; died about October, 827. Valentine was by birth was Roman, belonging to the Via Lata district. While still a youth he entered the service of the Church.… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Valentine — Valentine, NE U.S. city in Nebraska Population (2000): 2820 Housing Units (2000): 1373 Land area (2000): 2.012706 sq. miles (5.212885 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.002169 sq. miles (0.005617 sq. km) Total area (2000): 2.014875 sq. miles (5.218502… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Valentine — Val en*tine, n. 1. A sweetheart chosen on St. Valentine s Day. [1913 Webster] 2. A letter containing professions of love, or a missive of a sentimental, comic, or burlesque character, sent on St. Valentine s Day. [1913 Webster] {St. Valentine s… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Valentine — puede hacer referencia a: Valentine (1988), cantante alemana. Valentine, población y comuna francesa, en la región de Mediodía Pirineos. Valentine, película estadounidense de 2001. Valentine, hermana y coprotagonista de la Saga de ender de Orson… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Valentine, NE — U.S. city in Nebraska Population (2000): 2820 Housing Units (2000): 1373 Land area (2000): 2.012706 sq. miles (5.212885 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.002169 sq. miles (0.005617 sq. km) Total area (2000): 2.014875 sq. miles (5.218502 sq. km) FIPS… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Valentine, TX — U.S. town in Texas Population (2000): 187 Housing Units (2000): 138 Land area (2000): 0.481008 sq. miles (1.245805 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 0.481008 sq. miles (1.245805 sq. km) FIPS code:… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • valentine — [val′ən tīn΄] n. [ME < OFr] 1. a) a sweetheart chosen or greeted on Saint Valentine s Day b) one s sweetheart 2. a) a greeting card or note sent to a real or pretended sweetheart on this day, and containing a message of sentimental love b) …   English World dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”