virtue

plural virtues · alternative vertu · alternative obsolete vertuu · alternative archaic vertue

1. uncountableconceptuallyThe idea of all that is good or excellent (in every sense of those terms) in a human being, collectively instantiated by a varying number of human traits known as "the virtues", the enumeration of which vary by the many virtue systems which have developed within different cultures, religions, and historical periods.
2. uncountableAccordance with moral principles; conformity of behaviour or thought with the strictures of morality; good moral conduct.First known use 13th c.

   Without virtue, there is no freedom.

   2 more examples

   There are a set of religious, or rather moral, writers, who teach that virtue is the certain road to happiness, and vice to misery, in this world.

   1749, Henry Fielding, chapter 1, in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, book XV

   “Virtue is an inner light that can prevail in every soul.”

   2004 October 1, “Eight-and-a-Half-Tails”, in Champions of Kamigawa, Wizards of the Coast

3. countableAn attribute of a personality (a "personality trait") which predisposes a person to behaviors resulting in human goodness; an admirable quality.

   The commission of acts by a person which he or she believes to be wrong can cause a diminishment of one or more of the virtues which subsist in the person's personality; in this way such actions may be viewed as significant life events.

   1 more example

   Some men are modest, and seem to take pains to hide their virtues; and, from a natural distance and reserve in their tempers, scarce suffer their good qualities to be known […].

   1766, Laurence Sterne, Sermon, section XLIV

4. countableuncountableA particular manifestation of moral excellence in a person.First known use 13th c.
5. countableuncountableSpecifically, 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.First known use 14th c.

   Better to be excluded from society than to deny the virtue of citizenship.

   1 more example

   The divine virtues of truth and equity are the only bands of friendship, the only supports of society.

   1813, John Fleetwood, The Life of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

6. countableuncountableAn inherently advantageous or excellent quality of something or someone; a favourable point, an advantage.First known use 14th c.

   There were divers other plants, which I had no notion of or understanding about, that might, perhaps, have virtues of their own, which I could not find out.

   1719 May 6 (Gregorian calendar), [Daniel Defoe], The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, […], London: […] W[illiam] Taylor […], →OCLC

   1 more example

   One virtue of the present coalition government's attack on access to education could be to reopen the questions raised so pertinently by Robinson in the 1960s […].

   2011, The Guardian, Letter, 14 Mar 2011

7. countableuncountableChristianityA creature embodying divine power, specifically one of the orders of heavenly beings, traditionally ranked above angels and archangels, and below seraphim and cherubim.First known use 14th c.

   Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers; / For in possession such, not only of right, / I call ye, and declare ye now […].

   1667, John Milton, “Book X”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC

8. uncountableSpecifically, moral conduct in sexual behaviour, especially of women; chastity.First known use 17th c.

   though she did not suppose Lydia to be deliberately engaging in an elopement without the intention of marriage, she had no difficulty in believing that neither her virtue nor her understanding would preserve her from falling an easy prey.

   1813, Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

9. countableobsoleteuncountableThe inherent power of a god, or other supernatural being.First known use 13th–19th c.
10. countableuncountableThe inherent power or efficacy of something (now only in phrases).First known use 13th c.

    There was a virtue in the wave; His limbs, that, stiff with toil, Dragg’d heavy, from the copious draught receiv’d Lightness and supple strength.

    1801, Robert Southey, “(please specify the page)”, in Thalaba the Destroyer, volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: […] [F]or T[homas] N[orton] Longman and O[wen] Rees, […], by Biggs and Cottle, […], →OCLC

    2 more examples

    Here are the glasses, Meg. But I am afraid that the virtue has gone from them, and now they are only glass. Perhaps they were meant to help once and only on Camazotz.

    1962, Madeleine L’Engle, “Aunt Beast”, in A Wrinkle in Time, New York, N.Y.: Ariel Books, →OCLC; republished New York, N.Y.: Ariel Books, 1973 printing, →ISBN, page 189

    many Egyptians still worry that the Brotherhood, by virtue of discipline and experience, would hold an unfair advantage if elections were held too soon.

    2011 February 17, “The autumn of the patriarchs”, in The Economist

plural Virtues

1. A surname.