valentine

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: Val=en=tine

CIDE DICTIONARY

valentine, n. 

•  A sweetheart chosen on St. Valentine's Day.  [1913 Webster]
•  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 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.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

valentine, n.
1 a card or gift sent, often anonymously, as a mark of love or affection on St Valentine's Day (14 Feb.).
2 a sweetheart chosen on this day.

Etymology

ME f. OF Valentin f. L Valentinus, name of two saints

ROGET THESAURUS

valentine

Endearment

N endearment, caress, blandishment, blandiment, panchement, fondling, billing and cooing, dalliance, necking, petting, sporting, sparking, hanky-panky, caressing, embrace, salute, kiss, buss, smack, osculation, deosculation, amorous glances, courtship, wooing, suit, addresses, the soft impeachment, lovemaking, serenading, caterwauling, flirting, flirtation, gallantry, coquetry, true lover's knot, plighted love, love tale, love token, love letter, billet-doux, valentine, honeymoon, Strephon and Chloe, caressing, sighing like furnace, love-sick, spoony, caressed, faint heart neer won fair lady, kisses honeyed by oblivion.