a. (and sb.). Also 6–7 valide, 8 valed. [ad. F. valide (OF. valide, Sp., It., Pg. valido) or L. valid-us strong, powerful, effective, f. valēre to be strong, etc.]
1. Good or adequate in law; possessing legal authority or force; legally binding or efficacious.
1571. Reg. Privy Council Scot., II. 95. Seing his said tak is valide and sufficient in the self.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., I. xv. 72. The nature of Justice, consisteth in keeping of valid Covenants.
a. 1688. Cudworth, Immut. Mor. (1731), 2. Whatsoever is decreed and constituted, that for the time is Valid, being made so by Arts and Laws.
1726. in Nairne Peerage Evidence (1874), 36. Declareing if I do not exerce these faculties in any own time these presents shall remain a valed evident albeit not delivered by me.
1769. Robertson, Chas. V., IX. Wks. 1851, IV. 315. This strange tribunal founded its charge upon the ban of the empire, which … was … destitute of every legal formality which could render it valid.
1786. Burke, Art. agst. W. Hastings, Wks. II. 9. A claim, which they determined not to comply with but in return for the surrender of another equally valid.
1844. H. H. Wilson, Brit. India, III. 257. Those, who held rent-free lands by titles that might be declared valid.
1878. Jevons, Primer Pol. Econ., 128. According to law, deeds, leases, cheques, receipts, contracts, and many other documents are not legally valid unless they be stamped.
b. Eccl. Technically perfect or efficacious.
1674. J. Owen, Holy Spirit (1693), 235. So as that the Call to Office should yet be valid.
c. 1680. Beveridge, Serm. (1729), I. 28. Not but that the ordination is valid.
1876. E. Mellor, Priesth., viii. 361. No ordination is valid unless there be in the recipient of orders what is termed in the Church of Rome an habitual, or, at least, a virtual intention.
2. Of arguments, proofs, assertions, etc.: Well founded and fully applicable to the particular matter or circumstances; sound and to the point; against which no objection can fairly be brought.
a. 1648. Ld. Herbert, Autobiog. (1764), 138. The whole face of Affairs was presently changed, insomuch that neither my Reasons, nor the Ambassadors…, how valid soever cou’d prevail.
1692. Bentley, Boyle Lect., iv. 115. He may admit of those Arguments as valid and conclusive.
1711. Prior, Alma, I. 416. For when One’s Proofs are aptly chosen; Four are as valid as four Dozen.
1766. Pitt, in Almon, Anecd., xxix. (1810), I. 432. The excuse is a valid one, if it is a just one.
1803. Wellington, in Gurwood, Desp. (1835), II. 164. Reasons which I thought valid but which I do not think it necessary to communicate to him.
1859. Mill, Liberty, ii. 36. An objection which applies to all conduct, can be no valid objection to any conduct in particular.
1881. Westcott & Hort, Grk. N. T., Introd. § 46. A generalisation obtained from one book would be fairly valid for all the rest.
b. In general use: Effective, effectual; sound.
1651. Hobbes, Govt. & Soc., ii. § 7. 23. If yet to words relating to the future, there shall some other signes be added, they may become as valid, as if they had been spoken of the present.
1774. Reid, Aristotle’s Logic, ii. § 2. 183. This same et cætera … shall in any future time shew a good and valid right to a property in the subject.
1824. Byron, Juan, XVI. xxxv. The effort was not valid To hinder him from growing still more pallid.
1850. Mansel, Proleg. Log. (ed. 2), 22. The only valid method of investigating the relation between thought and speech.
1875. Geo. Eliot, in Cross, Life, III. 253. I should urge you to consider your early religious experience as a portion of valid knowledge.
3. Of things: Strong, powerful. Now arch.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Valid, strong, mighty, puissant, able.
1667. Milton, P. L., VI. 438. Perhaps more valid Armes, Weapons more violent, when next we meet, May serve to better us.
1807. Crabbe, Birth of Flattery, 109. So on a dream our peasant placed his hope, And found that rush as valid as a rope.
1887. Browning, Parleyings, Wks. 1896, II. 692/2. What beseems a king who cannot reign, But to drop sceptre valid arm should wield?
1891. Cornh. Mag., Nov., 493. In addition to the strong jaws … there are three exceedingly valid hooks.
† b. Of malt liquor: Unduly thick. Obs.–1
1742. Lond. & Country Brew., I. (ed. 4), 38. They also keep it from running into such Cohesions as would make it ropy, valid, and sour.
4. Of persons: Sound or robust in body; possessed of health and strength. Also said of health.
1652. Gaule, Magastrom., 139. The more valetudinary have commonly been the more vertuous; and the more valid, the more vitious.
1708. Motteux, Rabelais (1737), V. 232. Thanks to Jove’s Benignity you’re valid.
1757. Mrs. Griffith, Lett. Henry & Frances (1767), IV. 137. I much fear his excessive Grief may injure his Health, which is not very valid, at present.
1879. Sala, in Daily Telegr., 12 June. When he was a valid man he may have had many a boxing bout with Shaw the Life Guardsman.
1899. Daily News, 1 Dec., 7/1. The Boers have evidently put every valid male into the field.
b. Of the mind: Sane, strong. rare.
1854. Emerson, Lett. & Soc. Aims, Poet. & Imag., Wks. (Bohn), III. 139. The restraining grace of common-sense is the mark of all the valid minds.
5. As sb. A person in good health. Opposed to INVALID sb. 1.
1882. Pall Mall G., 20 Sept., 5. Kuristen and valids may alike thank Dr. Yeo for a series of highly interesting and instructive Essays.
