WORD UP.

VIRTUE

[vur-choo]

noun

1. moral excellence; goodness; righteousness.

2. conformity of one's life and conduct to moral and ethical principles; uprightness; rectitude.

3. a particular moral excellence. natural virtue

4. chastity

Origin

early 13c., "moral life and conduct, moral excellence," vertu, from Anglo-Fr and O.Fr. vertu, from L. virtutem "moral strength, manliness, valor, excellence, worth," from vir "man". Phrase by virtue of (early 13c.) preserves alternative M.E. sense of "efficacy."