virtue
- virtue
vir|tue [ `vɜrtʃu ] noun **
1. ) count a good quality or habit that a person has, especially a moral one such as honesty or loyalty:
Patience is not one of my virtues.
teaching children the virtues of discipline and self-control
a ) count a quality that is useful in a particular activity:
Obedience is an important military virtue.
b ) uncount FORMAL a way of behaving in which you do what is morally right and avoid things that are morally wrong
2. ) count an advantage or good feature that something has that makes it better than something else:
virtue of: One virtue of the plan is that it is cheaper to implement.
preach/proclaim/extol the virtues of (=tell people about how good something is): She goes on lecture tours to preach the virtues of free-market capitalism.
3. ) uncount OLD-FASHIONED a woman's VIRGINITY
by virtue of something
because of or as a result of:
By virtue of its beaches and pleasant climate, Hawaii attracts millions of visitors each year.
I got this house by virtue of my job.
make a virtue of something
to get benefits by accepting a situation that you cannot change and using it to your advantage
make a virtue of necessity
to pretend that you are doing something because you have chosen to do it and because it will bring you benefits, when in fact it is something that you must do
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English.
2013.
:
Look at other dictionaries:
Virtue — (Latin virtus ; Greek Polytonic|ἀρετή) is moral excellence. Personal virtues are characteristics valued as promoting individual and collective well being, and thus good by definition. The opposite of virtue is vice.Etymologically the word virtue… … Wikipedia
Virtue — • According to its etymology the word virtue (Latin virtus) signifies manliness or courage Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Virtue Virtue … Catholic encyclopedia
Virtue — Vir tue (?; 135), n. [OE. vertu, F. vertu, L. virtus strength, courage, excellence, virtue, fr. vir a man. See {Virile}, and cf. {Virtu}.] 1. Manly strength or courage; bravery; daring; spirit; valor. [Obs.] Shak. [1913 Webster] Built too strong… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
virtue — [vʉr′cho͞o] n. [ME vertue < OFr vertu, virtue, goodness, power < L virtus, manliness, worth < vir, man: see WEREWOLF] 1. general moral excellence; right action and thinking; goodness or morality 2. a specific moral quality regarded as… … English World dictionary
virtue — (n.) early 13c., moral life and conduct, moral excellence, vertu, from Anglo French and O.Fr. vertu, from L. virtutem (nom. virtus) moral strength, manliness, valor, excellence, worth, from vir man (see VIRILE (Cf. virile)). For my part I honour… … Etymology dictionary
virtue — ► NOUN 1) behaviour showing high moral standards. 2) a morally good or desirable quality. 3) a good or useful quality of a thing. 4) archaic virginity or chastity. ● by virtue of Cf. ↑by virtue of … English terms dictionary
virtue of — ▪ Through the power, force, or efficacy of ▪ Because of ▪ On account of ● virtue … Useful english dictionary
virtue — index caliber (quality), ethics, honesty, honor (good reputation), integrity, merit, probity … Law dictionary
virtue — 1 *goodness, morality, rectitude Analogous words: honor, *honesty, integrity, probity: *fidelity, piety, fealty, loyalty: righteousness, nobility, virtuousness (see corresponding adjectives at MORAL) Antonyms: vice 2 * … New Dictionary of Synonyms
virtue — [n] honor, integrity advantage, asset, character, charity, chastity, consideration, credit, ethic, ethicality, ethicalness, excellence, faith, faithfulness, fineness, fortitude, generosity, goodness, good point*, high mindedness, hope, ideal,… … New thesaurus
virtue — 01. Humility is considered an important [virtue] in many Far Eastern cultures. 02. Her religious beliefs have always been the principal force guiding her [virtuous] behavior. 03. It is important for the children to learn the [virtue] of hard work … Grammatical examples in English
