virtue
virtue definition
vir·tue (vʉr′c̸ho̵̅o̅)
noun
- general moral excellence; right action and thinking; goodness or morality
- a specific moral quality regarded as good or meritorious
- chastity, esp. in a woman
- excellence in general; merit the virtue in planning ahead
- a good quality or feature the virtues of teaching as a profession
- effective power or force; efficacy; esp., the ability to heal or strengthen the virtue of a medicine
- Now Rare manly quality; strength, courage, etc.
Etymology: ME vertue < OFr vertu, virtue, goodness, power < L virtus, manliness, worth < vir, man: see werewolf
virtue Idioms
make a virtue of necessity
to accept with an agreeable or positive attitude that which must be accepted anyway
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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