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