virtue

virtue
n.
1 moral excellence; uprightness, goodness.
2 a particular form of this (patience is a virtue).
3 chastity, esp. of a woman.
4 a good quality (has the virtue of being adjustable).
5 efficacy; inherent power (no virtue in such drugs).
6 an angelic being of the seventh order of the celestial hierarchy (see ORDER n. 19).
Phrases and idioms:
by (or in) virtue of on the strength or ground of (got the job by virtue of his experience). make a virtue of necessity derive some credit or benefit from an unwelcome obligation.
Derivatives:
virtueless adj.
Etymology: ME f. OF vertu f. L virtus -tutis f. vir man

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • Virtue — (Latin virtus ; Greek Polytonic|ἀρετή) is moral excellence. Personal virtues are characteristics valued as promoting individual and collective well being, and thus good by definition. The opposite of virtue is vice.Etymologically the word virtue… …   Wikipedia

  • Virtue — • According to its etymology the word virtue (Latin virtus) signifies manliness or courage Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Virtue     Virtue      …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Virtue — Vir tue (?; 135), n. [OE. vertu, F. vertu, L. virtus strength, courage, excellence, virtue, fr. vir a man. See {Virile}, and cf. {Virtu}.] 1. Manly strength or courage; bravery; daring; spirit; valor. [Obs.] Shak. [1913 Webster] Built too strong… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • virtue — [vʉr′cho͞o] n. [ME vertue < OFr vertu, virtue, goodness, power < L virtus, manliness, worth < vir, man: see WEREWOLF] 1. general moral excellence; right action and thinking; goodness or morality 2. a specific moral quality regarded as… …   English World dictionary

  • virtue — (n.) early 13c., moral life and conduct, moral excellence, vertu, from Anglo French and O.Fr. vertu, from L. virtutem (nom. virtus) moral strength, manliness, valor, excellence, worth, from vir man (see VIRILE (Cf. virile)). For my part I honour… …   Etymology dictionary

  • virtue — ► NOUN 1) behaviour showing high moral standards. 2) a morally good or desirable quality. 3) a good or useful quality of a thing. 4) archaic virginity or chastity. ● by virtue of Cf. ↑by virtue of …   English terms dictionary

  • virtue of — ▪ Through the power, force, or efficacy of ▪ Because of ▪ On account of ● virtue …   Useful english dictionary

  • virtue — index caliber (quality), ethics, honesty, honor (good reputation), integrity, merit, probity …   Law dictionary

  • virtue — 1 *goodness, morality, rectitude Analogous words: honor, *honesty, integrity, probity: *fidelity, piety, fealty, loyalty: righteousness, nobility, virtuousness (see corresponding adjectives at MORAL) Antonyms: vice 2 * …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • virtue — [n] honor, integrity advantage, asset, character, charity, chastity, consideration, credit, ethic, ethicality, ethicalness, excellence, faith, faithfulness, fineness, fortitude, generosity, goodness, good point*, high mindedness, hope, ideal,… …   New thesaurus

  • virtue — 01. Humility is considered an important [virtue] in many Far Eastern cultures. 02. Her religious beliefs have always been the principal force guiding her [virtuous] behavior. 03. It is important for the children to learn the [virtue] of hard work …   Grammatical examples in English

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