\Va*ler"ic\, a. (Chem.)
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.