Noun
/vali̯ˈmiento/
The term valimiento refers to the act of being supported, shielded, or favored by someone, often implying a form of reliance on another's support or authority. It can be used in both general contexts, such as personal relationships, and legal contexts, often signifying a reliance on someone else's power or influence.
Frequency of Use: This word is relatively formal and is not commonly used in everyday conversation. It appears more frequently in written contexts, particularly in legal documents, literature, and historical texts.
Valimiento de un abogado puede ser crucial en la defensa de un caso en la corte.
(The support of a lawyer can be crucial in the defense of a case in court.)
Su valimiento con los directores le permitió obtener el ascenso.
(His backing with the directors allowed him to get the promotion.)
Maria siempre ha contado con el valimiento de su familia en tiempos difíciles.
(Maria has always relied on the support of her family in difficult times.)
While valimiento itself may not feature prominently in fixed idiomatic expressions, concepts surrounding support and reliance are common in Spanish idioms. Below are a few expressions that reflect similar meanings:
Estar bajo el ala de alguien
(To be under someone's wing)
Ejemplo: Estaba bajo el ala de su mentor durante sus primeros años en la empresa.
(He was under the wing of his mentor during his first years at the company.)
Tener un as bajo la manga
(To have an ace up one's sleeve)
Ejemplo: Siempre tiene un as bajo la manga gracias al valimiento de su familia.
(He always has an ace up his sleeve thanks to his family's support.)
Ser la mano que mece la cuna
(To be the hand that rocks the cradle)
Ejemplo: Su madre ha sido la mano que mece la cuna en su carrera.
(His mother has been the hand that rocks the cradle in his career.)
The term valimiento derives from the verb valer, which means "to be worth" or "to have value." It is a noun form that emphasizes the aspect of support or backing that one has from another party, particularly in terms of authority or influence.
In summary, valimiento is a term that encompasses themes of support and reliance, and while it is more formal and prevalent in written contexts, its nuance is relevant to both general and legal language in Spanish.