virtue

The story

1. Latin · derived fromvirtus“manliness, bravery, worth, moral excellence”
2. Anglo-Norman · derived fromvertu
3. Middle English · inherited fromvertu
4. English todayvirtue

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.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 13th c. Accordance with moral principles; conformity of behaviour or thought with the strictures of morality; good moral conduct.
• from 13th c. A particular manifestation of moral excellence in a person.
• from 14th c. 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.
• from 14th c. An inherently advantageous or excellent quality of something or someone; a favourable point, an advantage.
• from 14th c. A creature embodying divine power, specifically one of the orders of heavenly beings, traditionally ranked above angels and archangels, and below seraphim and cherubim.
• from 17th c. Specifically, moral conduct in sexual behaviour, especially of women; chastity.
• 13th–19th c. The inherent power of a god, or other supernatural being.
• from 13th c. The inherent power or efficacy of something (now only in phrases).