I. ˈvərch(ə)wəl, ˈvə̄ch-, ˈvəich-, -chəl adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin virtualis, from Latin virtus strength, virtue + -alis -al — more at virtue
1. obsolete : of, relating to, or possessing a power of acting without the agency of matter
2. : notably effective
3. : being functionally or effectively but not formally of its kind
a virtual certainty
the virtual abdication of parents from their role as educators — Dorothy Barclay
II. adjective
1. : of, relating to, or being a hypothetical particle whose existence is inferred from indirect evidence
virtual photon
2. : of, relating to, or using virtual memory
3. : being on or simulated on a computer or computer network
print or virtual books
a virtual keyboard
: as
a. : occurring or existing primarily on-line
a virtual library
virtual shopping
b. : of, relating to, or existing within a virtual reality
a virtual world