OED Value Noun

Oxford English Dictionary The definitive record of the English language value, n.

Etymology: < Anglo-Norman valu, valeu, valew, valwe, walue, Anglo-Norman and Old French ... (Show More)

Worth or quality as measured by a standard of equivalence.

1.

a. The material or monetary worth of something; the amount at which something may be estimated in terms of a medium of exchange, as money or goods, or some other similar standard.Also as the second element in compounds, as asset, land-, metal value, etc.: see the first element.
b. A valuation, an appraisement. Now rare.

2. With the.

a. The equivalent monetary worth of a specified sum or amount. Freq. following to (see to prep. 14a).
b. In contemptuous comparisons: the equivalent worth of a small or trivial thing. Chiefly in negative contexts. Now rare.
c. The extent or amount of a specified non-monetary numerical quantity. Chiefly Eng. regional (north. and north midl.) in later use. Now rare.

3.

a. Originally: a standard of estimation or exchange; an amount or sum reckoned in terms of this. Later (now chiefly U.S.): a thing regarded as worth having.
b. That amount of a commodity, medium of exchange, etc., which is considered to be an equivalent for something else; a fair or satisfactory equivalent or return. Now chiefly in value for money n. at Phrases 8.
c. Feudal Law. The estimated worth of a marriage arranged by a lord for an infant ward or heir, and payable by the heir to the lord, should the heir later refuse to enter into the marriage. Freq. in value of the marriage. Cf. valour n. 3d. Obs.

4. Math. A numerical measure of a physical quantity; a number denoting magnitude on some conventional scale; (also) the numerical amount denoted by an algebraic term; the numerical output of a mathematical function.

5.

a. Music. The relative length or duration of a sound signified by a note; (also occas.) the relative length of a silence indicated by a rest.
b. The relative rank or importance of a playing card, chess piece, etc., according to the conventions of the game; the amount at which each (or each set) is reckoned in counting the score.
c. Art. Due or proper effect or emphasis; relative tone of colour in each distinct section of a picture; a particular tone or emphasis. Also in extended use.In quot. 1902 attrib.
d. Phonetics. The sound represented by a letter, character, or graphic symbol.
e. That quality of a colour, corresponding to tone or reflectance, which when assigned a numerical value according to its degree of lightness can be used in combination with hue and chroma to identify the colour uniquely. Cf. Munsell n.
f. Chiefly Linguistics and Semiotics. The place or function of a sign within a system of signs from which it derives its meaning. Now also more generally: meaning.Cf. note at sign n. 14.

Worth based on esteem; quality viewed in terms of importance, usefulness, desirability, etc.

6.

a. The relative worth, usefulness, or importance of a thing or (occas.) a person; the estimation in which a thing is held according to its real or supposed desirability or utility. Later also (Philos. and Social Sciences): such worth or estimation regarded in relation to an individual or group (cf. sense 6d).
b. Estimation or opinion of or liking for a person or thing; (formerly also) an instance of this. †Also without prepositional complement: esteem, regard, admiration (obs.).
c. With distinguishing word: the quality of a thing considered in respect of its ability to serve a specified purpose or cause a particular effect.entertainment, nuisance, shock-value, etc.: see the first element.
d. orig. U.S. In pl. (freq. collectively). The principles or moral standards held by a person or social group; the generally accepted or personally held judgement of what is valuable and important in life. Also occas. in sing.: any one of these principles or standards.

7.

a. Worth or efficacy in combat or warfare; manliness, valour. Obs.
b. Worth or worthiness (of a person) in respect of rank or personal qualities.

Phrases

P1. of value: of material or monetary worth; important, useful, valuable.

P2. of —— value: having a specified material or monetary worth; having a specified importance or significance.

P3. under value: below the proper value.

P4. trans. to add value to: to increase the worth of; (in later use) spec. (of a process of manufacture or other enhancement) to improve (raw materials, a product, etc.) so as to increase the value or selling price; cf. value-added adj.

P5. to set —— value on also upon: to estimate as having a specified worth or importance.

P6. at a small value: at a low or small price. Also (in same sense) to good value. Obs.

P7. Finance. value received: (on a bill of exchange or promissory note) used to acknowledge or confirm that payment, goods, or services to the value of the bill or note have been received. Freq. in for value received.

P8. value for money n. reasonableness of cost of something in view of its perceived quality, etc.; something which is well worth the money spent; freq. attrib. (usu. with hyphens).

P9. good value: worth the money spent; (in later use also colloq.) entertaining, worthy of interest or attention.

P10. face value: see face value n. at face n. Compounds 2.

Compounds

C1.

• a. attrib. (in sense 1a), as value growth, value-weight, etc.
• b. attrib. (in sense 6), as value attitude, value experience, etc.
• c. Objective.
  • (a) With present participles and verbal nouns, as value-creating, value-enhancing, value-giving, value-making, etc.
  • (b) With agent nouns, as value-giver, value maximizer, value-seeker, etc.
• d. Instrumental.
  • (a) With first element in singular form, as value-based, value-driven, etc.See also value-laden adj., value-loaded adj., value-oriented adj. at Compounds 2.
  • (b) With first element in plural form, as values-based, values-related, etc.See also values-oriented adj. at Compounds 2.

C2. value-adding adj. that increases the value of something; spec. designating a process of manufacture or other enhancement which adds value to raw materials; cf. value-added adj.

value analysis  n. the systematic and critical assessment by an organization of every feature of a product to ensure that its cost is no greater than is necessary to carry out its functions.
value analyst  n. a person who undertakes a value analysis.
value calling  n.  (a) Bridge a system of estimating bids which takes into account the scoring values of the suits;  (b) Poker calling rather than raising a bet from another player when holding a strong hand, in order to maximise potential winnings by keeping other players in the hand as long as possible.
value engineering  n. the modification of designs and systems according to value analysis.
value-free adj. free from criteria imposed by subjective values or standards; purely objective; cf. value-neutral adj.
value freedom  n. the state of being value-free; objectiveness.
value judgement  n. a judgement attributing merit or demerit to something according to certain standards or priorities.  [Originally after German Werturteil (1823 or earlier as Werthurtheil; mid 19th cent. in specific theological use by Ritschl).]
value-laden adj. = value-loaded adj.
value-ladenness  n. the state or condition of being value-laden.
value-loaded adj. weighted or biased in favour of certain values.
value-neutral adj. involving no value judgements, neutral with respect to (personal or group) values.
value orientation  n. the direction given to a person's attitudes and thinking by his or her beliefs or standards; an instance of this.
value-oriented adj. guided or directed by certain beliefs or standards.
value pluralism  n. Philos. any theory which asserts the existence of an irreducible plurality of basic (esp. moral) values, which are not necessarily always compatible with one another.
value proposition  n. Business and Marketing (a summary outlining) the specific factor intended to make something attractive to the consumer.
values-oriented adj. = value-oriented adj.
value system  n. any set of connected or interdependent values.
value theory  n.  (a) Polit. Econ. the Marxist labour theory of value, which relates the value of a commodity to the labour and cost of its production;  (b) Philos. axiology.
ˈvaluewards adv. rare