valence (en)

(chemistry) the combining power of an element. or like, aspect

valorization (en)

give or assign a value to, especially a higher value: "The prophets valorized history"

value rationality (en)

defined by Max Weber in opposition to instrumental rationality: "determined by a conscious belief in the value for its own sake of some ethical, aesthetic, religious, or other form of behavior, independently of its prospects of success"

vamps (en)

(in jazz and popular music) a short, simple introductory passage, usually repeated several times

vanishing mediator (en)

a concept that exists to mediate between two opposing ideas, as a transition occurs between them. At the point where one idea has been replaced by the other, and the concept is no longer required, the mediator vanishes. Fredric Jameson introduced the term in a 1973 essay; used by Žižek

vanitas painting (en)

a still life that contains collections of objects symbolic of the inevitability of death and the transience and vanity of earthly achievements and pleasures; it exhorts the viewer to consider mortality and to repent; most notable during the 16th/17th centuries in Flanders and the Netherlands

variegated (en)

(adj) exhibiting different colors, especially as irregular patches or streaks

vatic (en)

(adjective) prophetic, oracular; describing or predicting what will happen in the future

velleity (en)

(noun) the lowest degree of volition / (noun) a slight wish or tendency; inclination

venerable (en)

accorded a great deal of respect, especially because of age, wisdom, or character

verdant (en)

green with vegetation; covered with growing plants or grass

verdigrised (en)

a green or bluish patina formed on copper, brass, or bronze surfaces when exposed to air

vergers (en)

a person, usually a layperson, who assists in the ordering of religious services, particularly in Anglican churches

veridical (en)

(adjective) truthful veracious / (adjective) not illusory; genuine

verisimilar (en)

having the appearance of truth; likely; probable

verities (en)

(noun) the quality or state of being true or real / (noun) something (as a statement) that is true / (noun) a fundamental and inevitably true value / (noun) the quality or state of being truthful or honest

versts (en)

(noun) a Russian unit of distance equal to 0.6629 mile (1.067 kilometers)

vertiginous (en)

causing vertigo, especially by being extremely high or steep

via dolorosa (en)

the way of grief

viaticum (en)

(noun) the Christian Eucharist given to a person in danger of death / (noun) an allowance (as of transportation or supplies and money) for traveling expenses / (noun) provisions for a journey

vicissitudes (en)

(noun) a change or variation occurring in the course of something; successive, alternating, or changing phases or conditions, as of life or fortune; ups and downs

vide (en)

(verb imperative) see, consult, refer to

villanelle (en)

(noun) a chiefly French verse form running on two rhymes and consisting typically of five tercets and a quatrain in which the first and third lines of the opening tercet recur alternately at the end of the other tercets and together as the last two lines of the quatrain / (noun) a 16th century Italian part-song in an intentionally unsophisticated style / (noun) an instrumental piece in the style of a rustic dance

virago (en)

a domineering, violent, or bad-tempered woman

virgule (en)

(noun) slash