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.
- Accordance with moral principles; conformity of behaviour or thought with the strictures of morality; good moral conduct.
- A particular manifestation of moral excellence in a person; an admirable quality.
- 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.
- An inherently advantageous or excellent quality of something or someone; a favourable point, an advantage.
- A creature embodying divine power, specifically one of the orders of heavenly beings, traditionally ranked above angels and below archangels.
- Specifically, moral conduct in sexual behaviour, especially of women; chastity.
- The inherent power of a god, or other supernatural being.