Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

2 N‑COUNT A valance is a long narrow piece of wood or fabric which is fitted at the top of a window for decoration and to hide the curtain rail. [AM ] in BRIT, use pelmet

vale /ve I l/ (vales ) N‑COUNT [oft in names] A vale is a valley. [LITERARY ] □  …a small vale, sheltering under mist-shrouded hills.

vale|dic|to|ri|an /væ l I d I ktɔː riən/ (valedictorians ) N‑COUNT A valedictorian is the student who has the highest marks in their class when they graduate from high school, college, or university, and who gives a speech at their graduation ceremony. [AM ]

val|edic|tory /væ l I d I ktəri/ (valedictories )

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A valedictory speech, letter, or performance is one that is intended as a way of saying goodbye when someone leaves another person, a place, or a job. [FORMAL ] □  …Mr Walker, making his valedictory address after two years as chairman.

2 N‑COUNT [oft N n] A valedictory is a speech that is given by the student with the highest marks in their class at their graduation ceremony. [AM ]

val|en|tine /væ lənta I n/ (valentines ) N‑COUNT A valentine or a valentine card is a greetings card that you send to someone who you are in love with or are attracted to, usually without signing your name, on St Valentine's Day, the 14th of February.

val|et /væ le I , -l I t/ (valets , valeting , valeted )

1 N‑COUNT A valet is a male servant who looks after his employer by doing things such as caring for his clothes and cooking for him.

2 VERB If someone valets a vehicle, they are paid to clean it thoroughly inside and out.

val|iant /væ liənt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A valiant action is very brave and determined, though it may lead to failure or defeat. □  Despite valiant efforts by the finance minister, inflation rose to 36%. ●  val|iant|ly ADV [ADV with v] □  He suffered further heart attacks and strokes, all of which he fought valiantly.

val|id /væ l I d/

1 ADJ A valid argument, comment, or idea is based on sensible reasoning. □  They put forward many valid reasons for not exporting. ●  va|lid|ity /væl I d I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] □  The editorial in the Financial Times says this argument has lost much of its validity.

2 ADJ Something that is valid is important or serious enough to make it worth saying or doing. □  Most designers share the unspoken belief that fashion is a valid form of visual art. ●  va|lid|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the validity of making children wear cycle helmets.

3 ADJ If a ticket or other document is valid , it can be used and will be accepted by people in authority. □  All tickets are valid for two months.

4 → see also validity

vali|date /væ l I de I t/ (validates , validating , validated )

1 VERB To validate something such as a claim or statement means to prove or confirm that it is true or correct. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] This discovery seems to validate the claims of popular astrology. ●  vali|da|tion /væ l I de I ʃ ^ə n/ (validations ) N‑VAR □  This validation process ensures that the data conforms to acceptable formats.

2 VERB To validate a person, state, or system means to prove or confirm that they are valuable or worthwhile. □ [V n] The Academy Awards appear to validate his career. ●  vali|da|tion N‑VAR □ [+ of ] I think the film is a validation of our lifestyle.

va|lid|ity /vəl I d I ti/

1 N‑UNCOUNT The validity of something such as a result or a piece of information is whether it can be trusted or believed. □ [+ of ] Shocked by the results of the elections, they now want to challenge the validity of the vote. □ [+ of ] Some people, of course, denied the validity of any such claim.

2 → see also valid