Also Valentia. [See def.]
1. attrib. Of or pertaining to, cultivated in or obtained from, Valencia, a province and town of eastern Spain.
1796. Kirwan, Elem. Min. (ed. 2), I. 207. The Stones commonly called Valentia garnets are … of this species…. They may be the garnets of Spain, mentioned in … Raab’s Catalogue.
1822. A. T. Thomson, Dispensatory, 150. The Valentia almond is a sweet, large, flat almond, pointed at one extremity.
1858. Homans, Cycl. Commerce, 1477/2. In Europe, the Valencia oranges are eagerly sought after, on account of their early appearance, large size, and beautiful color.
2. A mixed fabric mainly employed for waistcoats, having a wool weft with a warp of silk, silk and cotton, or linen, and usually striped. Chiefly in pl.
1850. in Ogilvie.
1855. Catal. Gt. Exhib., 490/1. Fancy vesting called valencias or toilinets. Ibid., 1115/2. Toilinets and valentias.
1882. Caulfeild & Saward, Dict. Needlework, 510/1. Valentias are produced at Spitalfields, and many are showy in appearance.
3. ellipt. in pl. Valencia almonds or raisins; raisins similar to those of Valencia.
1867. Simmonds, Dict. Trade, Suppl. 460/1. Valencias, raisins prepared by dipping the bunches of grapes into a hot lye made of wood ashes, oil, and lime, and then dried in the sun.
1904. Daily News, 12 Nov., 9. This year we have some of the finest Valencias (we call all raisins Valencias, you know) from Australia.
