in virtue of

noun

1. general moral excellence; right action and thinking; goodness or morality
2. a specific moral quality regarded as good or meritorious
3. chastity, esp. in a woman
4. 1. excellence in general; merit: the virtue in planning ahead
   2. a good quality or feature: the virtues of teaching as a profession
5. effective power or force; efficacy; esp., the ability to heal or strengthen: the virtue of a medicine
6. Now Rare manly quality; strength, courage, etc.

Origin: ME vertue < OFr vertu, virtue, goodness, power < L virtus, manliness, worth < vir, man: see werewolf