virtue

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Accordance with moral principles; conformity of behaviour or thought with the strictures of morality; good moral conduct.

   Without virtue, there is no freedom.

2. 2
   noun

   An attribute of a personality (a "personality trait") which predisposes a person to behaviors resulting in human goodness; an admirable quality.

   The commission of acts by a person which he or she believes to be wrong can cause a diminishment of one or more of the virtues which subsist in the person's personality; in this way such actions may be viewed as significant life events.

3. 3
   noun

   Specifically, each of several qualities held to be particularly important, including the four cardinal virtues, the three theological virtues, or the seven virtues opposed to the seven deadly sins.

   The divine virtues of truth and equity are the only bands of friendship, the only supports of society.

4. 4
   noun

   An inherently advantageous or excellent quality of something or someone; a favourable point, an advantage.

   There were divers other plants, which I had no notion of or understanding about, that might, perhaps, have virtues of their own, which I could not find out.

5. 5
   noun

   A creature embodying divine power, specifically one of the orders of heavenly beings, traditionally ranked above angels and archangels, and below seraphim and cherubim.

   Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers; / For in possession such, not only of right, / I call ye, and declare ye now […].

6. 6
   noun

   Specifically, moral conduct in sexual behaviour, especially of women; chastity.

   though she did not suppose Lydia to be deliberately engaging in an elopement without the intention of marriage, she had no difficulty in believing that neither her virtue nor her understanding would preserve her from falling an easy prey.

7. 7
   noun

   The inherent power or efficacy of something (now only in phrases).

   There was a virtue in the wave; His limbs, that, stiff with toil, Dragg’d heavy, from the copious draught receiv’d Lightness and supple strength.

8. 8
   noun

   the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong

Etymology

From Middle English vertu, virtue, borrowed from Anglo-Norman vertu, virtu, from Latin virtus (“manliness, bravery, worth, moral excellence”), from vir (“man”). Doublet of vertu. See virile. In this sense, displaced Old English cræft, whence Modern English craft.