a. [ OE. valiant, F. vaillant, OF. vaillant, valant, originally p. pr. of OF. & F. valoir to be worth, L. valere to be strong. See Wield, and cf. Avail, Convalesce, Equivalent, Prevail, Valid. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 1. Vigorous in body; strong; powerful; as, a valiant fencer. [ Obs. ] Walton. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Intrepid in danger; courageous; brave. [ 1913 Webster ] A valiant and most expert gentleman. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] And Saul said to David . . . be thou valiant for me, and fight the Lord's battles. 1 Sam. xviii. 17. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Performed with valor or bravery; heroic. “Thou bearest the highest name for valiant acts.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] [ The saints ] have made such valiant confessions. J. H. Newman. [ 1913 Webster ] -- Val"iant*ly, adv. -- Val"iant*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
