vertu

The story

1. Latin · derived fromvirtūt-, virtus“virtue”
2. French · derived fromvertu“virtue”
3. Italian · borrowed fromvirtù, †vertù“moral worth, virtue (13th century); determination, perseverance, military valour (14th century); study of the liberal or fine arts; appreciation of, taste for, or expertise in the fine arts; objets d'art collectively (16th century)”
4. English todayvertu

Borrowed from Italian virtù, †vertù (“moral worth, virtue (13th century); determination, perseverance, military valour (14th century); study of the liberal or fine arts; appreciation of, taste for, or expertise in the fine arts; objets d'art collectively (16th century)”); or from French vertu (“virtue”), ultimately from Latin virtūt-, virtus (“virtue”). Doublet of virtue; compare also virtuoso.

First known use, by meaning

• from 18th c. The fine arts as a subject of study or expertise; understanding of arts and antiquities.
• from 18th c. Objets d'art collectively.
• from 19th c. Especially with reference to the writings of Machiavelli (1469–1527): the requisite qualities for political or military success; vitality, determination; power.
• from 20th c. Moral worth; virtue, virtuousness.