virtuoso

The story

1. Proto-Indo-European*weyh₁-?
2. Proto-Indo-European*wiHrós
3. Proto-Italic*wiros
4. Latinvir
5. Latinvirtūs
6. Proto-Indo-European*h₃ed-
7. Proto-Indo-European*h₃édosder.?
8. Late Latinvirtuōsu
9. Italianvirtuoso
10. English todayvirtuoso

Borrowed from Italian virtuoso, from Late Latin virtuōsus (“virtuous”), from Latin virtus (“excellence”). Doublet of virtuous.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 17th c. An expert in virtù or art objects and antiquities; a connoisseur.
• from 17th c. Someone with special skill or knowledge; an expert.
• from 18th c. Specifically, a musician (or other performer) with masterly ability, technique, or personal style.