Search this site:

Definition of valid


Reference


Word of the Day
exculpate
Definition: (verb) to free from blame or guilt.
Petersons.com
Add Word of the Day to your personalized My Yahoo! page:
Add to My Yahoo! View RSS Feed
About My Yahoo! and RSS »

 

val·id  audio  (vld) KEY  

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Well grounded; just: a valid objection.
  2. Producing the desired results; efficacious: valid methods.
  3. Having legal force; effective or binding: a valid title.
  4. Logic
    1. Containing premises from which the conclusion may logically be derived: a valid argument.
    2. Correctly inferred or deduced from a premise: a valid conclusion.
  5. Archaic Of sound health; robust.

ETYMOLOGY:
French valide, from Old French, from Latin validus, strong, from valre, to be strong; see wal- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
va·lidi·ty or valid·ness (Noun), valid·ly (Adverb)

SYNONYMS:
valid , sound 2 , cogent , convincing

These adjectives describe assertions, arguments, conclusions, reasons, or intellectual processes that are persuasive because they are well founded. What is valid is based on or borne out by truth or fact or has legal force: a valid excuse; a valid claim. What is sound is free from logical flaws or is based on valid reasoning: a sound theory; sound principles. Something cogent is both sound and compelling: cogent testimony; a cogent explanation. Convincing implies the power to dispel doubt or overcome resistance or opposition: convincing proof.


Visit our partner's site
Provided by Houghton Mifflin
logoeReference -- Download this interactive reference software to your desktop computer


Search Dictionary:

 More on Yahoo! Education
 • Online and On-Campus Degree Programs
    MBAs  -  Technology Management  -  Education  -  Health  -  More

 • College & Grad School - A Comprehensive Guide
    College Search  -  Test Prep  -  Application Tips  -  Scholarship Search
 

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Other Important Information
-