ˈvə:tju: 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). øby (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. øøvirtueless adj. [ME f. OF
vertu f. L virtus -tutis f. vir man]