[vir.tue] n [ME virtu, fr. OF, fr. L virtut-, virtus strength, manliness, virtue, fr. vir man--more at virile] (13c) 1 a: conformity to a standard of right: morality b: a particular moral excellence
2. pl: an order of angels--see celestial hierarchy
3: a beneficial quality or power of a thing
4: manly strength or courage: valor
5: a commendable quality or trait: merit
6: a capacity to act: potency 7: chastity esp. in a woman -- vir.tue.less adj -- by virtue of or in virtue of : through the force of: by authority of